Light responsive target apparatus

Feb. 2, 1943. d. e. hooker etal 2,310,084

LIGHT RESPONSIVE TARGET APPARATUS

Filed Jan. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1

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LIGHT RESPONSIVE TARGET APPARATUS

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Feb. 2» 1943.

D. E. HOOKER ET AL

LIGHT RESPONSIVE TARGET APPARATUS

Filed Jan. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4

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Patented Feb. 2,1943

2,310,084

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,310,084

LIGHT RESPONSIVE TARGET APPARATUS

Donald E. Hooker, Charles T. Breitenstein, and Nels A Nelson, Chicago, Hl., assignors to Raymond T. Moloney, Chicago, HL

Application January 10,1940, Serial No. 313,274

Claims. (CI. 273—101.1)

The invention relates to a light responsive target shooting apparatus. Such apparatus is usually coin released for operation and used for amusement purposes in. testing aiming skill of the player, who employs a light ray shooting gun or rifle which is aimed at a moving target including a light responsive means such as a photo-electric cell.

In these games, it is usual to animate the target by having it move or change direction every time the photo-electric cell is hit. Thus the target, through the game playing cycle, always moves in the same manner and a marksman or nlayer soon achieves such skill in hitting the target that interest is lost. It is desirable during the given length of time the target operates to animate the target in one way for part of the given time of operation and in another way for the remainder of such time, and to use the gun trigger rather than the photo cell as a control in an electric circuit including the motor that drives the target, to achieve such results. In a more specific sense, to maintain and keep up player appeal, it is desirable to make the first ten shots result in a relatively complex target movement to make hits more difficult to achieve, but if all first ten shots, for example, constitute accurate hits then to arrange the control in a manner thereafter, to cause a relatively simple target motion to make succeeding hits easier of accomplishment to enable the player to build up high scores in the nature of a reward for skillful handling of the first ten shots. It is also desirable to provide an improved target and motion therefor so coordinated with the light projecting gun as to achieve the best results.

The main object of the invention is to provide «η improved target shooting apparatus utilizing light rays.

Another object is to provide a gun control means responsive to trigger gotten for regulating the drive to and change of motion for the movable target.

Still another object is to provide such control wherein the first predetermined number of shots, say ten, will cause the moving target to turn around on an axis and if all ten shots hit the photo-electric cell in the target, then to prevent such turning of the target and cause it merely to move along a path, turn around at the end of such path, and then come back to a centered position of rest and stay there just as the operation of the game ceases.

Another object is to provide a shut-off control to terminate operation of the game after a cer10

30.

tain Interval of operation in case the first ten shots do not all achieve photo cell hits.

Another object of the Invention is to provide a carrier for conveying a target back and forth along certain path, but to permit turning thereof, by novel means, on a vertical axis and automatic change of direction of the target.

Another object is to provide an improved electrical circuit for a game of this class, wherein the target operating means and gun are coordinated to produce novel results.

Other Important objects will become apparent to those skilled in this art as the disclosure is more fully made.

Briefly, in one preferred form of the Invention these desirable objects may be achieved in providing a cabinet carrying a track or guideway along which a carrier is moved by a chain or belt driven from an electric motor. The carrier supports a novel target which may simulate a bull and Includes a photo-electric cell, there being means in the motor circuit controlled by operation of the light ray gun trigger to cause the target to turn around and go in an opposite direction every time a hit is achieved during a first cycle or predetermined number or succession of shots. In case the first ten shots are nut all hits the game remains in operation for a time controlled interval and for the remaining shots available during the Interval the target turns and reverses upon every hit. However, should all of the first ten shots be hits, then different control means becomes operative in the circuit to cause the target to move straight away to the end of its guideway, then turn around and return to a stopped, centered position on the guideway just as the game ends upon opening of the circuit, it being understood, that during such latter stralght-away movement of the target the player may rapidly shoot at the target as fast as he can pull the trigger to build up a large number of hits for scoring purposes.

The complete game organization thus embodies a light ray gun, the trigger of which control^ circuits to operate the target in one manner from the motor during one cycle of operation, and in a different manner for another cycle of operation, the circuit being operative upon operation of a coin release slide and running until automatically stopped. Separate units are a trigger mechanism, step-up mechanism, release mechanism, target mechanism, reversing motor control, and a novel circuit, all as will later more fully appear.

2,810,084

In the drawings, showing one practicable form of the invention:

Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the target cabinet and remotely positionable light ray projecting gun and the connecting electric cable for circuit wires;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the target means placed in the cabinet with the front panel of the latter removed;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the same mechanism;

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the same mechanism, partly in section, taken along the line 4—4 of Figure 3, looking in the indicated direction;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, plan detail view taken from line 5—5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail plan view taken from line 6—6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view through the target carrier;

Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the trigger control means of the gun;

Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a step-up unit;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a motor control unit; and,

Figure 11 is a drawing of an electrical wiring diagram to show how all parts are coordinated.

Generally, the improved apparatus comprises a target containing cabinet 15 and a light ray shooting gun or rifle (6. The front wall of the cabinet may be hinged back to expose the parts shown in Figure 2, which parts will now be described. See also Figures 3 and 4. Opposite end frame brackets or supports 8 7 are rigidly mounted in the cabinet, said supports securely carrying in fixed position two, horizontal, spaced, parallel bars 88 which constitute a track or guide-way for a target carrier. This carrier, or carriage, appears at 19 in channel section and is disposed vertically with its upper portion carrying two rigid, spaced brackets 20 each supporting a roller 21 turnable on a vertical axis to roll on the outside vertical face of the upper guide bar 88. The lower portion of the carriage 89 carries two spaced rollers 22 tumable on a horizontal axis to roll on the top face of the lower guide bar 18. In this fashion the carriage is slidably positioned 50 on the parallel guide bars 18 for to and fro movement.

Looking to Figure 7 it will be seen that extending upwardly through the channel flanges of the carriage 8 9 is a tube or pipe 23 securely anchored therein and extending well thereabove. Around this tube the lower carriage flange supports a bearing 24 for journaling a quill shaft 25 surrounding the tube 23, said latter shaft having a portion of somewhat larger diameter disposed well above the carrier 19 and formed to carry a U-shaped holder 26 for a pair of opposite alined lenses 27. The stationary tube 23 extends up into said holder where it carries an appropriate socket and support 28 for a photoelectric cell or lamp 29. Opposite parts of the U-bracket or holder 27 carry opposite or respective sides of a target element, which in this instance simulates a bull 30, the lenses 27 being respectively exposed on its opposite sides and 76 registering with the photo-electric cell 29. A cable of two conductor wires 31 leads from the lamp 29 to an amplifier unit 32 (see Figure 11) suitably located within the cabinet 15. This cable 31 is of sufficient length to provide necessary slack when the carrier 19 moves from one end to the other of the track or guide structure 18. The bull 30, and holder 26 turn as a unit with the shaft 25, whereas the inner shaft or 5 tube 23 and the photo-cell 29 carried thereon do not turn, the whole structure of bull and lamp, however, moving translationally as a unit with the travel of the carriage 19. The means for moving this carriage unit along the track guide-way 10 will now be described.

Above the top flange of the carriage 19 the turnable shaft 25 has fast thereon a gear 33, said gear being in mesh with a larger gear 34 fast on a vertical shaft 35 tumably carried in the 15 upper and lower flanges of the carriage 19. Also made fast to said shaft 35, between its ends, is a laterally disposed lever 36 which is passed through a large opening 37 to the rear side of the carriage where the lever is universally connected 20 by a gimbal joint 38 to a link 39. This link 39 at its opposite end is loosely and pivotally connected by a pin 40 to the upper run of a roller chain 41. This chain is endless and at its left hand end is trained around an idler sprocket 25 wheel 42 journaled in an end bracket 43 on an end support 17, while the other or right hand end of the chain is trained around a drive sprocket wheel 44 carried by a shaft 45 journaled in brackets 46 supported by a shelf 47. The shaft 30 45 has fast thereon a large worm gear 48 meshing a small worm gear 49 on the shaft 50 of an electric motor 58 mounted on the shelf 47. The motor 51 is reversible and drives in either direction.

As viewed in Figures 2 and 3 it may be assumed the upper run of the chain 41 is being driven to the left. By means of the pull transmitted from the link 39, through lever 36 and shaft 35 the carriage 19 is pulled to the left along its guide 40 tracks 18. When the direction of movement of the drive chain 41 is reversed, that is to the right, or if the pivotal connection 40 runs over the left hand sprocket wheel 42, it follows that the link 39 will then exert a pushing force on 45 the carriage 89 and push it to the right along the guide tracks 18. Such pushing force, by link 39 will swing the lever 36 clockwise and turn the shaft 35 and its gear 34 which in turn will rotate the gear 33 causing the shaft 25, lens support 26 and the target image 30 to rotate counterclockwise. This turning movement of the shaft 25 is limited in opposite directions by a stop member 52 fast on and turnable with the shaft 25 above the gear 33 in a position to abut a yield55 able shock absorbing abutment 53 mounted on the top flange of the carriage 19. With the link 39 exerting a pushing force the carriage 89 will then move to the right.

As seen in Figures 2, 3 and 11 the carriage 19 βθ carries a rider or shoe 54 having opposite upturned ends adapted to ride over insulated wheels carried on a center, blade contact switch 55, a left hand similar switch 55 and a right hand similar switch 55. These switches are labeled 55C 65 (center); 55R (right) and 55L (left). Each of these three switches is closed except when opened by the shoe 54 and all are mounted in an insulated manner on the rear face of the lower rail bar 18, as shown.

The gun (6 embodies a novel trigger mechanism for operating certain switches to control the circuit shown in Figure 11 and while such trigger mechanism per se is described and claimed in copending Breitenstein application Serial No.

313,273, filed January 10, 1940, it will, neverthe2,310,084 less, to a proper understanding of the present disclosure, be necessary briefly to describe said trigger mechanism herein.

Referring to Figure 8 this trigger mechanism embodies a frame 56 having a wall 51, carrying a finger trigger 58 to be pulled against spring pressure. Pivotally connected to the upper end of the trigger is a longitudinal link 59 having a long slot 60 in its forward end. A bell crank lever 61 is pivoted at 62 to the wall 51 and carries a pin 63 at its upper end passed through the rear end of the slot 60. The forwardly extending arm of the bell crank 61 has its free end formed with a cut away step 64 and therebelow with a stop tail 65. A spring 66 holds a vertical latch lever 61 against the bell crank 61, as shown, said lever having its lower end bent to be positioned over the tail 65 and against the stepped end of the bell crank arm. The latch lever 61 is pivoted by a pin 68 to the frame 57 and at its upper end carries a headed pin 69 passed Into the slot 60 of the link 59.

The pin 63 pivotally carries at a point between its ends, a lever 70 the front end of which carries a lateral sleeve 71 made of insulation, and the rear end of which lever has a portion 72 which acts as a pawl to engage the notches formed by teeth on a ratchet wheel 73 turnably carried on the wall 57. A spring 74 connects between the bell crank 61 near its pivot 62, and the rear end of lever 70 to hold said portion 72 toward the ratchet wheel 73. A pull spring 75 connects between the pin 63 and the pivot pin of the trigger 58. This ratchet wheel 73 is tumable from a starting position determined by a boss 76 on the wheel and an abutment pin 77 on the frame 57. A spring is energized when the wheel leaves this starting position and such power serves to return the wheel to the starting position when it is released. A lever 78 is pivoted intermediate its ends on the wall 57 and has a rear end 79 bent to act as a holding dog for the ratchet wheel teeth. This lever 78 at its rear end passes under a portion of the rear end 72 of the lever 70 so that when end 79 is raised free of the ratchet wheel the part 72 of the lever 70 will also be raised clear of the wheel 73 thus enabling the latter to be restored to the starting position. The front end of the releaser lever 78 is pivotally connected to the core 80 of a releaser coil 81, which is called the gun reset coil and is mounted on the frame plate 56, as shown in Figure 8.

The ratchet wheel 73 In the disclosed embodiment of the invention is formed with such a number of teeth 82 as to create ten effective notches for step-up by the pawl 72. Said wheel, after the final notch, has a flat portion 83 to prevent the pawl 72 from dropping when riding said portion 83 for a purpose to be made known. The link 59 at its rear end has an upstanding portion carrying a lateral part 84 made of insulation material. The part 84 is like the part 71 already described. The frame 57 carries a laminated insulation pack 85 for mounting an upper spring blade 86, a middle spring blade 87 and a lower spring blade 88 (see also Figure 11); these blades forming normally gapped apart contact switches and 90. The barrel of the gun carries an electric lamp 91 and light projection lenses 92.

Generally, it will be now stated, for the time being, that when the game is released for use, the first ten pulls of the trigger 58 through the link 59 and associated mechanism cause the parts 7( and 84 to close the respective switches 89 and but because of the action of a control means yet to be described, only the switch 89 ls in a hot circuit and consequently the lamp 91 is lighted only from said switch and shots or trigger pulls after said first ten cause the other switch 90 to be in a hot circuit and effective to light the lamp.

The control mechanism causing such alternation in switch operation is shown in Figures 9 and 11, and is referred to herein as a 1 to 10 control unit or commutator. This unit comprises a bracket 93 positionable in any desired place in the cabinet and carries a smaller bracket 94 for mounting an electromagnet coil 95 with the usual core to which is pivotally connected a lever 96 guided at its upper end in a slot 97 in the bracket 94, while its lower end is pivotally connected to a pawl arm 98 pulled by a spring 99 upwardly against a stop pin 100 carried on the bracket 93. The pawl arm 98 engages the teeth of a ratchet wheel 101 fast on a shaft 102 Journaled in the bracket 93, which shaft on the back side of the bracket 93 carries fast thereon a conductor wiper arm 103. The ratchet wheel has enough teeth to provide for ten step-ups, said wheel being returnable by a spring 104 to an initial starting position. The arm 103 wipes over a conductor arc (05 fastened to the back side of the bracket 93, it being understood, of course, that the bracket 93 is made of some suitable non-conductor material. The parts 103, 105 constitute a step-up commutator. A dog 106 is pivotally mounted in a suitable position on the bracket 93 to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 101 and prevent retrograde movement thereof, a spring 107 serving to hold the dog 106 toward the wheel. Another sub-bracket 100 carries an electromagnetic coil 109 to cooperate with an armature portion 110 on the lever arm 106 to raise the latter from the wheel 101 and free it for return rotation to its initial starting position, said coil 109 beinp termed the step-up reset. ,

An “on and off” unit is shown in Figures 10 and 11, its purpose being to control the reversibility of the motor 51. Said unit comprises a bracket 110 positionable in any desired place in the cabinetj which bracket carries an electromagnetic coil 112 having a reciprocating core 113 pivotally connected to a lever 114 mounted between its ends for rocking motion on a transverse shaft 115 fixed on the bracket III. Turnable on said shaft is a ratchet wheel 110 and also spaced therefrom, a star wheel I IT, the latter having half as many points as there are teeth on the ratchet wheel 110 so that a 2 to 1 relationship exists between the teeth on the wheels 110 and 117.

The lower end of the lever 114 pivotally carries a pawl 110 pulled to action against the teeth on the wheel 110 by a pull spring 119. A spring pulled pivoted dog 120 prevents retrograde movement of the ratchet wheel 116. A spring blade switch 121 is proximately positioned to the star wheel, 117, one blade of the said switch engaging the points thereof to separate and open the switch, or, when said one blade seats between the points of the star wheel, the said switch 121 is closed. One step of the ratchet wheel 116 turns the star wheel 117 half a step and as a result the switch 121 is alternately opened and closed. One side of the switch 121 is in circuit with the motor 51 and the other side with a reversing relay 122, said relay serving to change the positions of contact arms 123, 124 electrically connectible with the motor field coil 125. In Figure 11, the dotted

2,810,084 lines show the changed positions of the switch arms 123, 124, and their action is to reverse the flow of electric current through the field coil 125. It is by such means that the direction of rotation of the motor 51 is changed and consequently there is also changed the direction of travel of the chain 41 for the target carrier.

Λ coin released chute 126, of conventional type, is indicated in Figure 11, which as viewed is moved from right to left. Positioned in the path of movement of the chute 126 is the wedge shaped end of the center blade· (21 of a blade contact switch 128 and a blade contact switch

129, the former in the position shown being closed, and the latter open. Another blade contact switch 130 having a wedge end on one blade to be engaged by the coin chute is also provided, which switch is open when the chute 126 is in its right hand position. A trigger relay 131 is in circuit with one side of the switch

130, said relay controlling a switch arm. 132 which in the dotted closed position sends current to an impulse relay 133 from a condenser IS4 in the amplifier 32, such current serving to energize the relay 133 as Just stated, thereby closing a pair of Impulse relay switches 135 and 136. The amplifier 32 Includes an electromagnetic relay coil 137 responsive to a flash of light acting on the photo-electric cell 29, said relay 137 when energized acting to close a switch 138.

Still looking at Figure 11 it will be seen that the circuit also Includes a clock switch 138 in the motor circuit to permit current to flow to the motor for a certain predetermined interval »f time.

A “one to ten” hold-in relay 140 is in circuit with the commutator arc 105 and when energized holds closed three switches 141, 142 and 143. These switches regulate flow of current to a right stop relay I44R and a left stop relay 144L, said relays when energized respectively acting to close switches I45R and I45L and also close switches 146R and (461..

The source of energy comprises a plus line 147 and a minus line 148. The description of the details of the organization has now been completed and accordingly there will next be summarized the mode of operation and manner of use.

The starting positions are shown in Figure 11 where the target carriage rider 54 is centered between the ends of the track 18, thus causing the switch 55C to be held open. The coin chute

128 is in its right hand position and as a result switches I29 and 130 are open, while switch 128 is closed. To condition the machine for play, the coin chute 126 is moved to the left to break the circuit through switch 128 and make a circuit through the switch 129. Closing of switch

129 conditions a circuit through the gun reset coil 81 and the step-up reset coil 95. Movement of the coin chute (26 to the left will also cause the said chute to engage and close the switch 130, whereupon⁷ current will flow from line 148 through a wire 148' through the switch (30 and into the trigger relay 131 energizing the latter and causing the switch (32 to be moved to its closed position shown in dotted lines. With the switch 132 closed current flows from the condenser 134 in the amplifier 32 into the impulse relay 133 energizing the latter and causing the two impulse relay switches 135, 136 to be closed.

Current will now flow from the plus side 147 of the line through the switch 135 by way of a conductor 135' through the closed switch 128, through the gun reset coil 81, to operate the lever 78 and cause restoration of the ratchet wheel 73 to its Initial starting position, said g wheel having been stepped during the previous playing of the machine. At the same time the current flows through the step-up reset coil (09 energizing the latter so that dog 106 is moved to free the ratchet wheel 101 to enable 10 its restoration to the zero starting position. Return of this ratchet wheel moves the wiper arm (03 back to its starting position on the conductor arc 105. In this manner the commutator (03 is reset at the same time with the gun. With 15 the arm 103 in starting position on the arc 105 a circuit is completed through the “1 to 10” hold-in relay (40 to energize same. This causes the switches 141,. 142 and 143 to pull up and close and put the on and off” coil 1(2 in cir20 cult through the switch 141, and through the switches 142 and (43 to energize the coils of the stop relays I44R and I44L and thus close their respective relay switches (45R and (46R, and (451, and I46L. The time control switch _2g 139 was, of course, closed when the coin chute remain closed until the lapse of a time interval 126 was moved to the left and such switch will fixed in accordance with the approximate time it would take to achieve the maximum number ₃₀ of target hits.

The gun (6 is used to project a beam of light to the photo-electric cell 29 as indicated in Figures 1 and 11. When the trigger 58 of the gun is pulled back a circuit is completed through the gg switch 89, closed by action of link 69 on lever arm 70, said switch 89 allowing current to flow through the trigger relay 131 and thereby pull up on relay switch 132 which completes a circuit from the condenser 134 through the im40 pulse relay coil 133. Under normal conditions, when the trigger relay 131 is not energized, as when the trigger mechanism is not operated or the switch 89 is in a cold circuit, then current from the amplifier 32 is stored up in the con45 denser (34. When the relay switch (32 is pulled up as aforesaid by energization of the trigger relay (3(, the current stored in the condenser (34 is released in one jolt into the impulse relay coil (33, said current from the condenser (34 50 being thereafter dissipated and ineffective. After the coin chute 126 has reset the parts heretofore mentioned and has been retracted to the right, «the switch 128 is again closed and switches 129 and 130 are open during the playing of the 55 game.

The impulse relay switches 135 and 136 are momentarily pulled up by the impulse relay 133 to complete a circuit from the plus side (47 of the line or source of energy through switch (35 and 00 coin chute switch 128 and the gun lamp 91, the latter sending a beam or flash of light which is directed through the gun barrel 16; the same current flowing through the switch (35 into the “on and off” relay 112 and by way of a con65 ductor (4(A through the relay switch i4i which is normally disposed to complete the circuit back to the minus side (48 of the line by way of a conductor 14 IB through the relay switch I46R also normally disposed in circuit completing con70 dition. The “on and off” unit of Figure 10 controls the reversibility of the drive motor 51 and when coil 112 is energized the mechanism controlled thereby operates the star wheel ί 17 and as shown in Figure 11, regulates opening and 75 closing of the blade contact switch 121.

2,310,(

As seen In Figure 11 the motor Bl will operate in one direction and when the current is allowed to flow through the switch 121 the reversing relay 122 will be energized, thereby changing contact switch arms 122 and 12* to the dotted line g position to change the flow of current through the field coll I2B. This change of flow of current reverses the direction of rotation of the motor Bl and consequently reverses the direction of movement of the target moving chain *1 and io turns the target image IB about in the manner heretofore described.

If the flash of light is accurately directed by the player or marksman and it hits the photoelectric cell 29, the relay 1ST on the amplifier 15 12 will be energized and close the relay switch

111. A circuit is then made through the switch 111 and impulse relay switch III to the coil SB of the commutator to advance its wiper arm III one step along the conductor arc 106. In 20 practice for scoring hits by means of indicators, contact points would be arranged alongside the arc 105 for the wiper 101 to engage and thus close scoring indicator circuits in any manner open to those skilled in the art. 25

The marksman must release the trigger 51 of the gun in order to allow the lever 01 to return tinder pull of the spring 10. The swing of the lever 0Γ clockwise will cause the extension 12 of lever arm 10 to step the ratchet wheel II one 30 step clockwise. The switch 08 remains closed as long as the trigger II is held back and will only open when the trigger is returned to its normal position. Buch return movement of the trigger will pull the link 50 to the right and 35 cause the left hand end of the slot 60 to engage the pin 00 carried at the upper end of the latch 01 and rock the latter clockwise about its pivot out of engagement with the step 04 of the lever 01. The lever 01 is now free to rock and by its 40 movement will abut extension 12 of the arm 10 against the ratchet wheel II thereby raising the right hand end of the arm 10 against the pull of the spring 1* and lowering the sleeve II at the opposite end of the arm 10 and cause open- 45 ing of the trigger switch 00.

After the tenth pull of the trigger 50, the pawl portion 12 of the lever arm 10 cannot drop since there are no teeth 02 after number ten on the ratchet wheel II. At this point the portion 12 60 rides the flat surface II and hence the trigger is rendered Ineffective to close the switch 19 and the game would normally be over. However, if the marksman has achieved a hit each time he shot the first ten shots, the wiper 101 will have 66 traveled off the contact 100, thus deenergizing the 1 to 10 hold-in relay 141 to release the switches 141, 142 and 141. Switch 141 cuts off current to the “on and off” coil 112 which Is not used after ten shots, and causes current to flow through a coilductor I4IC into the over ten trigger switch II. Each time the trigger II is pulled, the laterally extending arm 14 carried by link II will bear against the switch 10 to close contact on said switch and allow current to flow to trigger relay III so as to record such succeeding hits, if desired, through auxiliary contact buttons associated with the commutator arm 181.

Switch 141 breaks the direct flow of current from the line through right stop relay coil I44R, but it is self-held by switch I4IR, allowing current to pass through the coll I44R into the track switch HR and back to the line by way of a conductor 15'. The switch 142 breaks the circuit *84 5 to left stop relay coil I44L which is self-held by switch I45L and track switch SIL.

The “on and off” unit III being out of use, the motor 11 continues to rotate and drive the chain 41 in a normal manner, the target 10 turning about only when the carriage ί 1 reaches the end of its run on tracks II, the link II being pulled over the sprocket wheel 42 and causing a pushing action on the link tl to rotate the target about the vertical axis of the shaft 21 as has been described. In the meantime, as the target so moves, the flash of light from the gun may be directed into the photo-electric cell 21 in rapid fire or machine gun fashion to build up a high score in the nature of an award for having skilfully fired the first ten shots.

When the carriage II reaches the left hand end of the track II, the rider I* on said carriage will bear down on the switch HL, breaking current to the coil I44L, opening the switch I4IL and I*IL. When the carriage 11 reaches the right hand end of the track 11 the rider 14 breaks circuit through the switch HR and coil I44R and cause opening of the switches 145R and I4IR. At this stage, the only thing that allows the continued operation of the motor is the flow of current from the motor through the switch HC at the center of the track II and through the conductor H' back to the line. Therefore, when the carriage reaches the center of its run the switch HC is broken and the motor II shuts off and the game is ended with the target centered between the ends of the track in position ready for initiation of a succeeding operation of the game.

When the required ten successive hits through switch H and wiper 101 are not achieved, it is then that the time clock controlled switch III serves to open the circuit and stop the game, the timing being so arranged that the target will end up in its centered position.

It must now be appreciated that an improved, compact, simple and fool-proof target machine for the purposes stated, has been provided, such machine achieving all of the desirable objects heretofore recited.

It is the Intention to cover herein all changes and modifications of the example chosen for purposes of the disclosure, which do not In material respects constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.