Launching device for clay targets

Abstract

A launching device for a clay target including a throwing arm supported to be rotatable continuously about an axis, and including means to load a clay target substantially at said axis, wherein the throwing arm includes an escapement mechanism operable between a first position in which a clay target is prevented from being launched from the throwing arm and a second position in which a clay target is permitted to be launched from the throwing arm. Loading means may be provided including a resilient loading receptacle located substantially at the axis to provide cushioning to a clay target as it is loaded. Further, the throwing arm may include a base portion for bearing a clay target and a top cover spaced from the base portion and adapted to disrupt the airflow over the clay target.

1 . A launching device for a clay target including a throwing arm supported to be rotatable continuously about an axis, and including means to load a clay target substantially at said axis, wherein the throwing arm includes an escapement mechanism operable between a first position in which a clay target is prevented from being launched from the throwing arm and a second position in which a clay target is permitted to be launched from the throwing arm, the escapement mechanism including:
 a cam member mounted to the throwing arm, the cam member carrying obstructing means which, in the first position, obstructs the passage of a clay target along the throwing arm, and in the second position, permits a clay target to move along the throwing arm to be launched; and   biasing means for biasing the cam member towards the first position, wherein the biasing means is a projection defined by the cam member on which centrifugal force acts during rotation of the arm to bias the cam member towards the first position.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The launching device of  claim 21 , wherein the throwing arm defines an internal volume and wherein the obstructing means is a resilient rod which, in the first position, projects into the said internal volume defined by the throwing arm so as to block the passage of a clay target therethrough. 
     
     
         4 . The launching device of  claim 1 , wherein the rod is of plastics such as Nylon™, PTFE, or polyethylene. 
     
     
         5 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The launching device of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing means further including a spring. 
     
     
         8 . The launching device of  claim 1 , wherein the cam member is held in the first position against a clay target by a catch member, a portion of which is engageable with a first stop defined on a cam surface of the cam member thereby to limit angular movement of the cam member. 
     
     
         9 . The launching device of  claim 8 , wherein the catch member is adapted to engage a trigger at a predetermined angular position as the throwing arm rotates, in use, so as disengage the catch member from the stop thereby to allow the cam member to move to the second position enabling a clay target to be thrown from the arm. 
     
     
         10 . The launching device of  claim 8 , wherein the catch member is pivotably mounted and cooperates with the cam surface so as to adopt a position in which the cam member does not engage with the trigger circumstances where there is no clay target loaded in the throwing arm. 
     
     
         11 . The launching device of  claim 1 , wherein the throwing arm includes an opening substantially at the axis through which opening sequential clay targets are loaded onto the arm by the loading means during rotation of the throwing arm. 
     
     
         12 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The launching device of  claim 1 , wherein the loading means includes a resilient loading receptacle located substantially at the axis to provide cushioning to a clay target as it is loaded. 
     
     
         16 . The launching device of  claim 15 , the loading receptacle including a base defining an impact zone for a clay target and a wall surrounding at least a part of the impact zone, and an open region opposing the wall that permits a clay target to travel in a launching direction. 
     
     
         17 . The launching device of  claim 16 , wherein the base and the side wall together define one or more openings to permit debris to escape from the loading receptacle. 
     
     
         18 . The launching device of  claim 17 , wherein a portion of the surface in the impact zone is inclined relative to the base whereby to provide a ramp to urge a loaded clay target in the launching direction. 
     
     
         19 . The launching device of  claim 18 , wherein the inclined surface extends between a portion of the base and a portion of the side wall and defines first and second of the openings either side thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The launching device of  claim 19 , wherein the loading receptacle includes a mounting flange that extends generally orthogonal to the base, the flange and the base defining a hinge therebetween. 
     
     
         21 . The launching device of  claim 16 , wherein the base is provided with a resilient coating and/or low friction coating. 
     
     
         22 . The launching device of  claim 1 , wherein the throwing arm includes a base portion for bearing a clay target and a top cover spaced from the base portion and adapted to disrupt the airflow over the clay target. 
     
     
         23 . The launching device of  claim 22 , wherein the throwing arm includes an opening substantially at the axis through which opening clay targets are loaded onto the arm as it rotates. 
     
     
         24 . The launching device of  claim 23 , including loading means to load sequential clay targets through the opening as the throwing arm rotates. 
     
     
         25 . The launching device of  claim 23 , wherein a resilient loading receptacle is located at the opening thereby to offer cushioning to a clay target loaded thereon. 
     
     
         26 . The launching device of  claim 22 , the top cover including one or more apertures to provide access to the internal volume of the throwing arm. 
     
     
         27 . The launching device of  claim 22 , wherein the throwing arm further includes a runner to bear against a clay as it is launched, the runner including one or more openings to permit debris to be cleared from the throwing arm through rotation thereof. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The launching device of  claim 8 , wherein the cam surface of the cam member is provided with a second stop which stop is set a predetermined distance along the cam surface from the first stop in the direction of the projection for providing a two-stage release of the clay target, whereby with the clay target in the loaded position the throwing arm must revolve twice in order for the clay target to be launched. 
     
     
         30 . The launching device of  claim 29 , wherein the catch member is adapted to engage the trigger at a predetermined angular position as the throwing arm rotates, in use, so as to disengage the catch member from the first and second stops thereby to allow the cam member to move to the second position enabling a clay target to be thrown from the arm.