US3411778A - Balloon target missile - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 19, 1968 R. M. BARRY BALLOON TARGET MISSILE Filed Nov. 16, 1965 INVENTOR. 20552 7' M 54.9251

4r Tde/VEYS United States Patent 3,411,778 BALLOON TARGET MISSILE Robert M. Barry, 7921 Noel Court, Richmond, Va. 23234 Filed Nov. 16, 1965, Ser. No. 508,115 Claims. (Cl. 273-1054) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A freely flying target having a body portion of appreciable Weight for projection into a trajectory. The body has aifixed thereto an inflatable balloon which serves as a target member and which is deflated when struck by projectiles. A brightly colored indicator ribbon is attached to the body portion to facilitate retrieving of the target body.

This invention relates to marksmanship targets of the missile type, and particularly to a balloon-equipped target missile, wherein the balloon component is replaceably interchangeable.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a more practical, efficient, versatile, and economical device of the kind indicated, which is adapted to be projected into a ballistic arc, either manually, or by means of a mechanical device, such as a sling-shot or springoperated catapult; and which is constructed so that the body component thereof is recoverable in an unimpaired condition, at the end of flight, the nose of the body component being provided with a spike which is adapted to enter the ground or other penetrable surface in advance of the body component, and hold the body component in an undamaged upright and readily accessible position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character indicated above, which is composed of a body component of substantial construction, and a balloon component which is attached to trail the body component, the body component having means, on the rear thereof, which acts both to align the balloon component longitudinally with respect to the body component, and to substantially reduce sidewise oscillation of the balloon component relative to the body component, so as to assure stabilized flight of the device, while at the same time preventing stresses on the balloon component which would otherwise tend to weaken the same and loosen its connection with the body component.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a device of the character indicated above, of simplified and easily used means for separably securing the balloon component to the body component, the said means utilizing the tension provided by a stretched condition of the neck of the balloon component for secure retentive effect, the said means affording quick and uncomplicated connection and disconnection of the balloon component.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the body component of a device of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section, taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, a part of an associated balloon component, in phantom lines, being shown attached to the body component;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation, on a reduced scale, showing the device in flight and trailed by a locater ribbon or tape, and showing, in phantom lines, a sling cord;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic view illustrating a trajectory of the device; and

FIGURE 5 is a view, like FIGURE 2, of another form of the device showing, in phantom lines, a trailing locater ribbon.

3,411,778 Patented Nov. 19, 1968 "ice Referring in detail to the drawing, and first to FIG- URES 1 to 4 thereof, the device 10 illustrated therein comprises an elongated body component 12, and a balloon component 14.

The body component 12 comprises a preferably solid cylindrical and longitudinally-elongated body 16, of suitable weighty material, including plastic, having a uniformly cylindrical main or rear portion 18, and a forwardly-tapered portion 20, the latter terminating in an elongated reduced diameter pointed spike 22. The body 16 has a squared or planar rear end 24.

Fixed flush with the rear end 24 of the body 16, as by means of an axially-disposed screw 26 having a head 27, the screw 26 being threaded into an axial bore 28, into the body 16, is a replaceable rearwardly and outwardly-flaring hollow cylindrical balloon component stabilizer 30, preferably composed of a plastic material such as, for example, rubber, and having suflicient resilience to be resistant to damage from shocks, such as falling contacts with the ground or other surfaces in the target area. The balloon component stabilizer 30 is formed of such resilient and elastic material to prevent the shattering thereof from impact with shot and to minimize the surface indentation thereof from shot while at the same time, providing a surface of such material as may be easily repairable from shot indentation and/or for economic replacement when desired or when it becomes so necessary.

The stabilizer 30 can be integrally constructed or, as shown, may be composed of a longitudinally-elongated cup 32 having a bottom wall 34 of substantial cross-section and formed therethrough with an axial bore 36 in which the related end of the screw 26 is suitably anchored. The inner end of the bottom wall 34 is formed with a counterbore 38 affording a seat for the set screw 27. A relatively thin, cylindrical, tapered and rearwardly-flaring sidewall 40 extends rearwardly from the bottom wall 34 and has a squared or planar end 42 disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stabilizer 30. As shown in FIGURE 2, the forward end of the cup 32 is smaller in diameter than the body 16, so that an annular shoulder 44 is defined thereat. The outer surfaces of the cup sidewall 40 and the bottom wall 34 are flared into each other and having a continuous concave longitudinal curvature, as indicated at 46.

The stabilizer 30 comprises a tubular bell 48 longer than the cup 32, having a sidewall 50, preferably of substantially uniform cross-section, which has the longitudinal curvature that provides the concave outer surface 52 and a convex inner surface 54.

The inner surface 54 of the bell sidewall 50, at the forward end thereof, conforms to the concave outer surface 46, of the cup 32, so that, with the stabilizer 30 detached from the body 16, the bell 48 can be conformably telescoped into the cup 32, from the forward end of the latter, for assembling the bell and the cup. In the assembled condition of the bell and the cup, the squared or planar forward end 56 of the bell 48 is flush with the forward end of the cup 32, and abuts the shoulder 44. The assembled cup and bell and the attached screw 26 are adapted to be together rotated for securing and detaching the stabilizer 30 from the body 16.

The sidewall 50 of the bell 48 has a maximum diameter rear end portion 58 which extends rearwardly beyond the rear end of the sidewall of the cup 32, the rear end 60 of the bell sidewall being formed With uniform flexible scallops 62, and a transversely-extending opening 63 is formed in one of the scallops 62 to serve a function to be described. The edges of the scallops '62 serve to grip the balloon component 14 and reduce any tendency thereof to rotate relative to the stabilizer 30. The scallops 62 also provide a cushioning means to absorb shock and minimize rupture of the balloon component upon impact of the device with the ground, so that if the balloon component 14 is not ruptured by impact of shot while in trajectory, it remains inflated upon ground impact to provide a stationary target for the marksman.

The length of the stabilizer 30, relative to the length of the balloon component 14, is such that the stabilizer protectively encloses a substantial portion of the forward end of the balloon component, including its neck, without encumbering any significant part of the main body target portion thereof.

The balloon component 14 is in the form of a cylindrical, longitudinally elongated balloon 64, having a uniformly cylindrical main body portion 66, having a forwardly-tapered substantially reduced diameter neck 68, on its forward end. The neck 68 terminates, at its forward end, in a flared inflating nipple 70, surrounded by a reinforcing bead 72.

For releasably attaching the balloon 64 to the body component 12, the sidewall 50, of the bell 48, is formed, from its rear end 60, between an adjacent pair of scallops 62, with a single longitudinal access slot 74, which extends forwardly to a point slightly beyond its midlength point, where the slot 74 enters one side of a laterally-oifset, enlarged diameter hole 76. The hole 76 is registered with a similar hole 78 formed in the sidewall 40 of the cup 32, from which an access slot 80, similar to and registered with the slot 74, extends rearwardly to the rear end of the sidewall of the cup 32. At a location diametrically-opposite the slots 74 and 80, the walls of the bell 48 and the cup 32 are formed, from the rear ends thereof, with aligned and registered, forwardly-tapered, relatively narrow wedge slots 82 and 84, which, at their forward ends 86 and 88, respectively, stop at points spaced rearwardly relative to the forward ends of the access slots 74 and 80.

The balloon 64 having been inflated, by connection of the nipple 70 with a source of air or other suitable gas (not shown) under pressure, the balloon neck is twisted upon itself so as to retain the air in the balloon, and the twisted neck 68 is then passed forwardly into the cup 32 through the access slots 74 and 80, and is brought out through the holes 76 and 78. The neck 68 is stretched lengthwise, wrapped around the outside of the stabilizer 30, brought rearwardly along the outside thereof. The stretched neck is then jammed forwardly along the wedge slots 82 and 84, with the nipple 70 inside the stabilizer 30, as shown in FIGURE 2, so that the neck is squeezed shut against the escape of air from the balloon and the balloon is expanded against the interior of the stabilizer.

To detach the balloon '64 from the body component 12, all that is necessary is to pull the neck 68 out of the wedge slots, let the neck unwrap itself from around the stabilizer, and then pull the neck out of the access holes K 76 and 78.

For projecting the device into a target trajectory, for target practice therewith, by means of a sling-shot or a cord sling, or a spring-operated catapult (not shown), a laterally-extending rearwardly-opening hook 90 is provided on the tapered forward end portion of the body component 16. In manually-projecting the device into a trajectory, a cord 92 with a loop 93 on one end thereof, is provided, which is adapted to be secured around a wrist, with the free end 94 of the cord between the thumb and forefinger, so as to form a loop 97, with which the hook 90 is engaged, and the device 10 then dangles therefrom. The device 10 is adapted to be slung upwardly and forwardly, and at the same time, the free end of the cord is released, so as to project the device into trajectory.

A flexible ribbon 99, preferably having a bright color, has one of its ends threaded through and secured in the opening 63, and has a free trailing end 99a which serves as means for clearly indicating the location of the body component of the device, at the end of its trajectory,

assuming that the balloon had been successfully burst in flight, as in tall grass, or the like, where the body component would otherwise be difficult to locate.

In FIGURE 5 is shown another form of the device 10, the new form bearing the general reference numeral 100, composed of a body component 12a and a balloon component 14a. The balloon component 14a consists of a balloon 64a, similar to the balloon 64, and having a neck 68a. The body component 12a has a body 16a similar in conformation to the body 16, of the device of FIGURES 1 to 4, supplemented by a balloon neck-securing spring clip 96, on one side of the forward end of the main portion of the stabilizer body. The body 16a has a squared or planar rear end 24a, and is formed in its outer surface, adjacent to this rear end, with an annular groove 98.

A stabilizer 30a comprises a longitudinally-elongated bell 48a having at its forward end, an internal diameter not substantially greater than that of the body 16a. The forward end of the bell 48a is formed with an integral bead 102, adapted to be passed over the rear end of the body 16a and to snap into the groove 98, for releasably securing the stabilizer to the body 16a.

The sidewall 50a of the bell 48a is formed with an access slot 74a, an access hole 76a, like those FIGURES 1 to 4, and with a diametrically-extending ribbon port a through which the forward end of a combination sling cord and brightly-colored finder ribbon 100, similar to the ribbon 99, is extended and secured to comprise a permanent, but replaceable adjunct of the device 10a, eliminating the necessity of providing a separate sling cord.

In attaching the balloon 64a to the body component 12a, the procedure is the same as with the device of FIGURES 1 to 4, except that, once the balloon neck 68a has been wrapped around the exterior of the bell 48a, it is stretched to and jammed, behind its nipple 70a, under the spring clip 96, instead of being jammed in the wedge slots absent from the bell 48a.

The device 100, when serving its intended function as a marksmans target, is placed in trajectory by the operator who manually grasps the free end 100a of the ribbon 100, and whirls the device 10a in any desired manner to create a centrifugal force on the device 10a which, upon release of the free end 100:: of the ribbon 100, places the device 10a in a desired trajectory. Thus, the ribbon 100 serves a dual purpose in that it serves (1) as a means for placing the device 10a in trajectory, and (2) it serves as means for clearly indicating the location of the body component of the device 10a at the end of its trajectory (assuming that the balloon has been successfully burst in flight) should the device 10a fall in tall grass or the like, where the body component would otherwise be diflicult to locate.

It is to be observed that in cases where the balloon has not been hit and burst on the trajectories of the devices, the balloon can serve as an excellent stationary ground target.

The balloon as used in either modification can also contain bright-colored material, such as confetti, indicated at 97, colored gas, irridescent paper strips, and the like, all of which could be introduced into the balloon at the time of its inflation. This added material is released, of course, upon'the bursting of the balloon while in trajectory, and gives rise to a spectacular effect, and which also serves to dramatize a hit by the marksman as the filler material disburses in the air; it also serves as a momentary visual marker for the marksman indicating the general location in which the target, when hit, may be found.

Having described and illustrated two embodiments of this invention in detail, it will be understood that the same are offered merely by way of example, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A device of the character described comprising an elongated body of appreciable weight for projection into a trajectory, said body having forwardly and rearwardlydisposed opposed ends, and position-indicating means secured to and trailing said body for sighting said body on the ground at the end of its trajectory, target means for said body, said target means comprising an inflatable balloon, said position-indicating means comprising an elongated length of flexible material having a pair of opposed ends, and means for connecting one end of said material to said body intermediate the ends thereof, the other end of said material being free to trail said body, and means for releasably securing said balloon to said rear end of said body, and wherein said length of material is of a bright color for assistance in visually locating said body, said body being longitudinally elongated and having a hollow rearwardly-fiaring stabilizer extending longitudinally from its rear end, said balloon having a main portion being conformably-engaged in the rear end of the stabilizer, said balloon having a reduced diameter neck extending forwardly within the stabilizer, and securing means on the stabilizer serving to compressively close and hold the balloon neck to the stabilizer, and an axial forwardly-extending pointed spike on the forward end of the body.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said body comprises a uniformly cylindrical rear portion and a forwardly-tapering forward end portion.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said stabilizer has an internal bead at its forward end and said body is formed at the rear end thereof with an internal groove into which said bead is snapped.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said stabilizer has a sidewall, said securing means comprising access slot means extending forwardly in said sidewall from the rear end thereof, the balloon neck being passed forwardly through said access slot means to the'exterior of the stabilizer and wrapped around the stabilizer, said balloon neck terminating in a flared nipple, andjamrning means on the body in which the balloon neck is jammed in a streached and compressed condition behind its nipple.

5. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein said jamming means comprises a leaf spring clip on the exterior of the body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 205,220 6/ 1878 Turner 273-105.5 2,481,522 9/ 1949 Livermon 273105.4 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 778,969 1/ 1935 France.

14,452 1905 Great Britain.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner.

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