Shooting target thrower

Abstract

A shooting target thrower for throwing a shooting target includes a throwing arm rotatable about a throwing axis to throw the shooting target. A throwing spring is operatively coupled to the throwing arm and rotates the throwing arm to throw the shooting target. An electric motor rotates the throwing arm to cock the throwing arm and throwing spring. The shooting target thrower includes a power connector that connects to a first power source or a second power source for powering the shooting target thrower. The first and second power sources are interchangeable with one another for powering the shooting target thrower.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shooting target thrower for throwing a shooting target, the shooting target thrower comprising:
 a frame;   a throwing arm supported by the frame and rotatable about a throwing axis, the throwing arm rotatable from a cocked position, the throwing arm configured to throw the shooting target as the throwing arm rotates about the throwing axis from the cocked position;   a throwing spring operatively coupled to the throwing arm, the throwing spring arranged to rotate the throwing arm about the throwing axis to throw the shooting target;   an electric motor operatively coupled to the throwing arm, the electric motor configured to rotate the throwing arm about the throwing axis toward the cocked position;   a power connector supported by the frame;   a first power source having a first power source connector, the first power source connector being releasably connectable to the power connector to deliver electrical power for the electric motor; and   a second power source having a second power source connector, the second power source connector being releasably connectable to the power connector to deliver electrical power for the electric motor;   the first and second power sources being interchangeably connectable to the power connector for delivering electrical power for the electric motor.   
     
     
         2 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 1 , wherein the first power source comprises a battery. 
     
     
         3 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 2 , wherein the battery comprises a lithium-ion battery. 
     
     
         4 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 2 , wherein the first power source is configured to be entirely carried by the frame when the first power source connector is coupled to the power connector. 
     
     
         5 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 2 , wherein the second power source includes a pair of battery clips configured to clip onto terminals of an external battery. 
     
     
         6 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 2 , wherein the second power source includes a plug configured to be plugged into an electrical outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 6 , wherein the second power source includes a power converter configured to convert AC power from the wall receptacle into DC power for the electric motor. 
     
     
         8 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 6 , further comprising a third power source, the third power source having a third power source connector and a pair of battery clips configured to clip onto terminals of an external battery, the third power source connector being releasably connectable to the power connector to deliver electrical power for the electric motor, the first, second, and third power sources being interchangeable with one another for delivering electrical power for the electric motor. 
     
     
         9 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 1 , wherein the power connector and the first power source connector are configured to form an electrical and mechanical connection when the first power source connector is connected to the power connector, and wherein the power connector and the second power source connector are configured to form an electrical and mechanical connection when the second power source connector is connected to the power connector. 
     
     
         10 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 9 , wherein the power connector includes a first electrical terminal and a first mechanical coupler, the first power source connector includes a second electrical terminal and a second mechanical coupler, and the second power source includes a third electrical terminal and third mechanical coupler;
 wherein the first and second electrical terminals are configured to electrically connect to one another when the first power source connector is connected to the power connector, and the first and second mechanical couplers are configured to mechanically connect to one another when the first power source connector is connected to the power connector;   wherein the first and third electrical terminals are configured to electrically connect to one another when the second power source connector is connected to the power connector, and the first and third mechanical couplers are configured to mechanically connect to one another when the second power source connector is connected to the power connector.   
     
     
         11 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller supported by the frame, the controller configured to monitor voltage from the power connector and to prevent operation of the electric motor if the voltage from the power connector drops below a predetermined voltage amount. 
     
     
         12 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is housed within the frame. 
     
     
         13 . A shooting target thrower for throwing a shooting target, the shooting target thrower comprising:
 a frame;   a throwing arm supported by the frame and rotatable about a throwing axis, the throwing arm rotatable from a cocked position, the throwing arm configured to throw the shooting target as the throwing arm rotates about the throwing axis from the cocked position;   a throwing spring operatively coupled to the throwing arm, the throwing spring arranged to rotate the throwing arm about the throwing axis to throw the shooting target;   an electric motor operatively coupled to the throwing arm, the electric motor configured to rotate the throwing arm about the throwing axis toward the cocked position;   a power connector supported by the frame; and   a first power source having a first power source connector and a plug configured to be plugged to an electrical outlet, the first power source connector being releasably connectable to the power connector to deliver electrical power for the electric motor.   
     
     
         14 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 13 , wherein the first power source includes a power converter configured to convert AC power from the electrical outlet into DC power for the electric motor. 
     
     
         15 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 14 , wherein the power converter is configured to convert 110 volt AC to 12 volt DC. 
     
     
         16 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 13 , further comprising a second power source having a second power source connector, the second power source connector being releasably connectable to the power connector to deliver electrical power for the electric motor, the first and second power sources being interchangeable with one another for delivering electrical power for the electric motor. 
     
     
         17 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 16 , wherein the second power source includes a pair of battery clips configured to clip onto terminals of an external battery. 
     
     
         18 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 13 , further comprising a controller supported by the frame, the controller configured to monitor voltage from the power connector and to prevent operation of the electric motor if the voltage from the power connector drops below a predetermined voltage amount. 
     
     
         19 . The shooting target thrower of  claim 18 , wherein the controller is housed within the frame.