IP Library Granted Patent US 12,480,749
Granted Patent B2
US 12,480,749 · App. 18/262,389 · Granted Nov 25, 2025

Target throwing machine

Inventors: Jean-Michel Laporte (Biot, FR); Jean-Marc Fouques (Antibes, FR)
Assignee: LAPORTE HOLDING
F41J9/30F41J9/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,480,749
App. No.
18/262,389
Granted
Nov 25, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A target throwing machine includes a base and a turret surmounted by a throwing unit, the turret being movable in rotation relative to the base according to a main axis. The base includes an upper surface and the turret includes a lower surface opposite the upper surface. In which machine an intermediate system is interposed between the upper surface and the lower surface, the intermediate system being in contact with the upper surface and the lower surface and forming a sliding interface between the intermediate system and the upper surface and/or the lower surface.

Claims (17)

1 . A target throwing machine, comprising:

a base, and

a turret surmounted by a throwing unit,

wherein, the turret being movable in rotation relative to the base according to a main axis, the base comprising an upper surface and the turret comprising a lower surface opposite the upper surface,

wherein, the target throwing machine comprising:

an intermediate system interposed between the upper surface and the lower surface, the intermediate system being in contact with the upper surface and the lower surface and forming a sliding surface between the intermediate system and the upper surface and/or the lower surface, the sliding surface comprising several separate sliding parts.

2 . The target throwing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate system comprises an upper contact face configured to form a sliding interface with the lower surface, and wherein the upper contact face is made of a first material, the upper surface is made of a second material and the lower surface is made of a third material such that a dynamic friction coefficient between the first material and the third material is higher than or equal to 0.04 and lower than 0.3.

3 . The target throwing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate system comprises a lower contact face configured to form a sliding interface with the upper surface, and wherein the lower contact face is made of a fourth material, the upper surface is made of a second material and the lower surface is made of a third material such that a dynamic friction coefficient between the fourth material and the second material is higher than or equal to 0.04 and lower than 0.3.

4 . The target throwing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate system comprises at least one self-lubricating sliding part.

5 . The target throwing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate system comprises at least one sliding part made of a material comprising brass and graphite.

6 . The target throwing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate system comprises at least one set of sliding parts that are distributed radially and evenly around the main axis.

7 . The target throwing machine according to claim 1 , wherein, in section according to a plane perpendicular to the main axis, the intermediate system admits a section so that a surface area of the section is located between 15% and 30% of a contact surface area corresponding to a projected surface which corresponds to a contact surface of the turret contiguous to the base in absence of an intermediate system.

8 . The target throwing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a central element, centered on the main axis and configured to position the turret with respect to the base.

9 . The target throwing machine according to claim 8 , wherein the central element projects on the intermediate system, the intermediate system comprising a central sliding part having a bearing surface configured to take up at least partially an axial loads of the turret.

10 . The target throwing machine according to claim 1 , wherein a distance between the upper surface and the lower surface is larger than or equal to 4 mm and is smaller than 10 mm.

11 . The target throwing machine according to claim 1 , comprising a motor-driven actuator configured to set the turret in rotation relative to the base.

12 . The target throwing machine according to claim 11 , wherein the actuator is an electric cylinder associated with a transmission system.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2023
From: LAPORTE, JEAN-MICHEL; FOUQUES, JEAN-MARC
To: LAPORTE HOLDING
Reel/Frame 064357/0903 →
Priority Claims (1)
FR 2101000 · Feb 2, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240077289A1 · Mar 7, 2024
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Cited By (1)
US 12,680,793