US3573868A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optical target practice system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1967-11-13
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Granted: 1971-04-06
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Expires: 1987-11-13
Abstract
Abstract The specification of this application describes a target practice system which includes an optical arrangement by which light may be directed from a gun towards a target. The target includes a photosensitive means connected to initiate a scoring display system. The source of light for the gun is located at a point remote from the gun and light from the source is conveyed to the gun through a fiber optical conducting system. The source generates flashes of light in a gas tube which is fired by an electrical signal as an incident to alteration in light flux in an optical subsystem. The subsystem includes a second light source and fiber optic circuitry for conducting light from the second source through the gun and thence to light-sensitive circuitry in which the initiating pulse is generated. Means are provided within the gun for altering the light flow through the gun in response to actuation of the trigger mechanism. In the embodiment described in detail in this specification, the initiating pulse is generated by the secondary optical system upon the occasion of interruption of light flow through the secondary fiber optical circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Carlo Giannetti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:33
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/26; F41G3/2616; F41G3/2622; F41G3/2655; F41A; F41A33/00; F41A33/02; F41J; F41J5/00; F41J5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
In an optical target practice system, in combination: a target gun including a trigger mechanism and optical means for receiving light from a source and transmitting it in a direction determined by the direction in which said target gun is pointed; a flashing light source remote from the gun and responsive to an initiating signal to apply a flash of light to said optical means of said gun; initiating means responsive to abrupt alteration in light flux quantity for applying an initiating signal to said flashing light source; a source of continuous light; and means for conducting light from said source of continuous light to said gun and thence to said initiating means; and light flux alteration means responsive to actuation of said trigger mechanism for altering abruptly the light flux conducted from said source of continuous light to said initiating means whereby a flash of light is caused to be directed in the direction in which said target gun is pointed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
In an optical target practice system, in combination: a target gun including a trigger mechanism and optical means for receiving light from a source and transmitting it in a direction determined by the direction in which said target gun is pointed; a flashing light source remote from the gun and responsive to an initiating signal to apply a flash of light to said optical means of said gun; initiating means responsive to abrupt alteration in light flux quantity for applying an initiating signal to said flashing light source; a source of continuous light; and means for conducting light from said source of continuous light to said gun and thence to said initiating means; and light flux alteration means responsive to actuation of said trigger mechanism for altering abruptly the light flux conducted from said source of continuous light to said initiating means whereby a flash of light is caused to be directed in the direction in which said target gun is pointed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention defined in claim 1, in which said optical means of said gun comprises a lens system mounted in the barrel of said gun and a fiber optic light-conducting conduit mounted within said gun to direct light through said lens system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention defined in claim 1, in which said flashing light source comprises a gas flash tube and an alternating current to high unidirectional voltage converter having its output connected across said flash tube and circuit means for applying an electrical initiating pulse to said flash tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
The invention defined in claim 1, in which said means for conducting light from said source of continuous light and thence to said initiating means includes a fiber optic light conduit extending from said source of continuous light to a first point within said gun and a fiber optic light conduit for receiving light at a second point spaced from said first point and conducting it to said initiating means; and in which said light flux alteration means comprises an opaque vane mounted within said target gun and responsive to actuation of said trigger mechanism to interrupt the passage of light from said first point to said second point momentarily.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention defined in claim 1, in which said initiating means comprises a light-sensitive cell for generating a signal of uniform character in response to uninterrupted light from said source of continuous light and responsive upon interruption of said light to provide an initiating signal to said flashing light source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
159 words
The invention defined in claim 1, in which said optical means comprises a lens system and the fiber optic light conducting conduit effective to direct conducted light through said lens system; and in which said flashing light source comprises a gas tube effective on being flashed to direct a flash of light to said fiber optic conduit, and an AC to high voltage DC converter having its output connected acRoss said gas tube; said initiating means being responsive to interruption of light for generating and applying to said gas tube an electrical pulse effective to fire said tube; said means for conducting light comprising a fiber optic conduit positioned to receive light from said source of continuous light and extending to a point within said gun, and further comprising a fiber optic conduit commencing at a second point within said gun spaced from said first point and effective to conduct light from said second point to said initiating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
125 words
In an optical target practice system, in combination: a flashing light source responsive to an initiating signal for generating a flash of light; a target gun including a trigger mechanism and optical means for receiving light from said flashing light source and transmitting it in a selected direction; a second light source; means for providing an initiating signal to said flashing light source comprising an initiating signal generating means responsive to alteration in flux from said second light source to generate said initiating signal, and means for conducting light from said second light source to said initiating signal generating means; and means responsive to actuation of said trigger mechanism for altering the light flux passing through said means for conducting light from said second source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
125 words
In an optical target practice system, in combination: a flashing light source responsive to an initiating signal for generating a flash of light; a target gun including a trigger mechanism and optical means for receiving light from said flashing light source and transmitting it in a selected direction; a second light source; means for providing an initiating signal to said flashing light source comprising an initiating signal generating means responsive to alteration in flux from said second light source to generate said initiating signal, and means for conducting light from said second light source to said initiating signal generating means; and means responsive to actuation of said trigger mechanism for altering the light flux passing through said means for conducting light from said second source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
An optical target practice system, in combination: a flashing source responsive to an alteration in light input flux for providing a flash of light; a target gun including an optical system for directing light applied thereto in the direction in which said gun is pointed and further comprising a trigger mechanism; fiber optic means for transmitting light from said flashing light source to said optical system of said target gun; a second fiber optic system for transmitting light flux to an input of said flashing light source; and means actuated by said trigger mechanism for altering the light flux supplied by said second fiber optic system to said flashing light source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
111 words
An optical target practice system, in combination: a flashing source responsive to an alteration in light input flux for providing a flash of light; a target gun including an optical system for directing light applied thereto in the direction in which said gun is pointed and further comprising a trigger mechanism; fiber optic means for transmitting light from said flashing light source to said optical system of said target gun; a second fiber optic system for transmitting light flux to an input of said flashing light source; and means actuated by said trigger mechanism for altering the light flux supplied by said second fiber optic system to said flashing light source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
156 words
In an optical target practice system, in combination: a target gun including a trigger mechanism and optical means for receiving light from a source and transmitting it in a direction determined by the direction in which said target gun is pointed; a flashing light source responsive to an initiating signal to apply a flash of light to said optical means of said gun; initiating means responsive to abrupt alteration in light flux quantity for applying an initiating signal to said flashing light source; a source of continuous light; means for conducting light from said source of continuous light to said gun and thence to said initiating means; and light flux alteration means responsive to actuation of said trigger mechanism for altering abruptly the light flux conducted from said source of continuous light to said initiating means whereby a flash of light is caused to be directed in the direction in which said target gun is pointed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
156 words
In an optical target practice system, in combination: a target gun including a trigger mechanism and optical means for receiving light from a source and transmitting it in a direction determined by the direction in which said target gun is pointed; a flashing light source responsive to an initiating signal to apply a flash of light to said optical means of said gun; initiating means responsive to abrupt alteration in light flux quantity for applying an initiating signal to said flashing light source; a source of continuous light; means for conducting light from said source of continuous light to said gun and thence to said initiating means; and light flux alteration means responsive to actuation of said trigger mechanism for altering abruptly the light flux conducted from said source of continuous light to said initiating means whereby a flash of light is caused to be directed in the direction in which said target gun is pointed.
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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) | 1974-04-05 | 1974-10-05 | 1975-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-05 | 1978-10-05 | 1979-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-05 | 1982-10-05 | 1983-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |