Luminescent Clay Pigeon Traps

Abstract

An apparatus arranged to activate luminescence in a projectile comprising: a trigger circuit arranged to cause a clay pigeon trap to launch the projectile; and a light emitting source configured to emit a flash of light in response to a signal from the trigger circuit, wherein the trigger circuit is arranged to provide a predetermined time delay in order to allow the luminescence in the projectile to be activated prior to launching.

1 . An apparatus arranged to activate luminescence in a projectile comprising:
 a trigger circuit arranged to cause a clay pigeon trap to launch the projectile; and   a light emitting source configured to emit a flash of light in response to a signal from the trigger circuit, wherein the trigger circuit is arranged to provide a predetermined time delay in order to allow the luminescence in the projectile to be activated prior to launching.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the trigger circuit is arranged to: receive a launch input at a launch control device; generate a launch signal for causing the clay pigeon trap to launch the projectile; relay the launch signal to the light emitting source; and relay the launch signal to a launch drive motor of a clay pigeon trap, wherein the time delay is provided between relaying the launch signal to the light emitting source and relaying the launch signal to the launch drive motor. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the trigger circuit comprises an activation control module arranged to be connected between the launch control device, and the launch drive motor and light emitting source. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the activation control module comprises:
 an input for receiving the launch signal; and   an output for relaying the launch signal to the launch drive motor of a clay pigeon trap.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the input comprises a first plug or socket connector arranged to connect to a connector of a launch control device; and   the output comprises a second socket or plug connector arranged to connect to a connector of the launch drive motor of the clay pigeon trap.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the time delay is less than 1 second. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the time delay is less than 500 ms. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the time delay is adjustable. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting source comprises an array of Light Emitting Diodes. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting source emits a peak wavelength in the range 430 nm to 480 nm. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the light emitting source emits a peak wavelength in the range 440 nm to 460 nm. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting source comprises one or more light emitting devices provided on a carrier, wherein the carrier is arranged to be secured to a support structure of a clay pigeon trap. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the carrier is arranged to be secured to the support structure of a clay pigeon trap such that light emitted from the light emitting devices is directed towards a projectile loaded into a launching position of the clay pigeon trap. 
     
     
         14 . A clay pigeon trap comprising the apparatus of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . The clay pigeon trap according to  claim 14 , comprising a launch arm for launching the projectile, wherein the light emitting source is arranged to activate the luminescence in the projectile whilst the projectile is in a launching position of the clay pigeon trap, and the launch arm is in a cocked position. 
     
     
         16 . The clay pigeon trap according to  claim 15 , comprising:
 one or more magazines for holding a plurality of projectiles; and   a plate separating the one or more magazines and the launch platform, the plate comprising a loading hole for loading projectiles from the carousel to the launching position,   wherein the light emitting source at least partially surrounds the loading hole, facing towards the launching position.   
     
     
         17 . A method of using a projectile having a luminescent coating comprising:
 activating said coating by irradiating the projectile using a light emitting source, wherein the light emitting source is configured to emit a flash in response to a signal from a trigger circuit arranged to cause a clay pigeon trap to launch the projectile; and   launching said illuminated target after the coating has been irradiated for a fixed duration by said light emitting source, wherein said trigger circuit is arranged to provide a predetermined time delay in order to allow the luminescence to be activated prior to launching.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the activating and launching comprises the following steps:
 receiving a launch input, then   triggering the light emitting source in response to receiving the launch input, then   waiting for the predetermined time delay, and then   triggering the launch.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the duration of the flash of light is longer than the time delay. 
     
     
         20 . A system comprising a clay pigeon trap according to  claim 14 , and one or more projectiles having a luminescent coating.