Shooting target launcher

Abstract

A shooting target launcher, associated components and methods. The launcher spins one or more helicopter-like shooting targets to launch the targets. A target connector receives the targets. The target connector is rotated about an axis of rotation to rotate the targets about the axis of rotation. The targets have fan blades that, when rotated, propel the target through the air.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shooting target launcher for launching a shooting target, the shooting target launcher comprising:
 a housing;   a target connector configured to receive the shooting target, the target connector being configured to be rotated about an axis of rotation to rotate the shooting target for launching; and   a target retainer configured to retain the shooting target with the target connector, the target retainer moveable between a retaining configuration where the target retainer is arranged to retain the shooting target with the target connector and a release configuration where the target retainer is arranged to permit the shooting target to launch off the target connector;   wherein at least one of:
 i) the target retainer being configured to be moveable to the release configuration by rotation of the target connector; 
 ii) the shooting target launcher being free of a prime mover dedicated for moving the target retainer between the retaining configuration and the release configuration; or 
 iii) the target retainer being configured to be free of discrete control to move the target retainer to the release configuration when the target connector is rotating to rotate the shooting target for launching. 
   
     
     
         2 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the target retainer is configured to be moveable to the release configuration by rotation of the target connector. 
     
     
         3 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the shooting target launcher is free of a prime mover dedicated for moving the target retainer between the retaining configuration and the release configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the target retainer is configured to be free of discrete control to move the target retainer to the release configuration when the target connector is rotating to rotate a target for launching. 
     
     
         5 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 4 , further comprising a first prime mover supported by the housing and configured to rotate the target connector about the axis of rotation, the shooting target launcher being free of a second prime mover configured to move the target retainer from the retaining configuration to the release configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 4 , further comprising a prime mover supported by the housing and configured to rotate the target connector about the axis of rotation, the shooting target launcher including an electronic control system operable to control the prime mover, the target retainer being configured to operate passively with respect to the electronic control system. 
     
     
         7 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 1 , wherein the target retainer is supported by and configured to rotate with the target connector about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         8 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 7 , wherein the target retainer is configured to move from the retaining configuration to the release configuration due to centrifugal forces experienced by the target retainer as the target retainer rotates about the axis of rotation when the target retainer and target connector are rotated. 
     
     
         9 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 8 , wherein the target retainer includes a target holder configured to engage a central hub of the shooting target to retain the shooting target with the target connector when in the retaining configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 9 , wherein the target holder is moveable radially relative to the axis of rotation between the retaining and release configurations. 
     
     
         11 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 8 , wherein the target holder includes a target engaging portion and a counterweight, the target engaging portion configured to engage the shooting target to retain the shooting target with the target connector when in the retaining configuration, the counterweight being arranged relative to the target engaging portion so that the centrifugal forces acting on the counterweight when the target retainer and target connector are rotated cause the target engaging portion to move from the retaining configuration to the release configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 11 , wherein the target engaging portion is configured to move radially inward from the retaining configuration to the release configuration due to the centrifugal forces acting on the counterweight when the target retainer and target connector are rotated. 
     
     
         13 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 12 , wherein the axis of rotation is disposed between the target engaging portion and the counterweight. 
     
     
         14 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 13 , wherein the target engaging portion is biased toward the retaining configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 8 , wherein the target retainer includes first and second target holders configured to engage the shooting target to retain the shooting target with the target connector when in the retaining configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second target holders are each moveable relative to the axis of rotation between the retaining and release configurations. 
     
     
         17 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second target holders each include a target engaging portion and a counterweight, the target engaging portion configured to engage the shooting target to retain the shooting target with the target connector when in the retaining configuration, the counterweight being arranged relative to the target engaging portion so that the centrifugal forces acting on the counterweight when the target retainer and target connector are rotated cause the target engaging portion to move from the retaining configuration to the release configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second target holders are configured to move in opposite directions due to the centrifugal forces acting on the counterweights when the target retainer and target connector are rotated. 
     
     
         19 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second target holders are biased toward the retaining configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 18 , further comprising first and second stops, the first stop being configured to stop movement of the first target holder due to the centrifugal forces when the target retainer and target connector are rotated, and the second stop being configured to stop movement of the second target holder due to the centrifugal forces when the target retainer and target connector are rotated. 
     
     
         21 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 7 , wherein the target connector includes a nose portion sized and shaped to be received in a central opening of the shooting target, the target retainer being supported by the nose portion. 
     
     
         22 . A shooting target launcher for launching a shooting target, the shooting target launcher comprising:
 a housing;   a target connector configured to receive the shooting target, the target connector being configured to be rotated about an axis of rotation to rotate the shooting target about the axis of rotation; and   a target retainer configured to retain the shooting target with the target connector, the target retainer moveable between a retaining configuration where the target retainer is arranged to retain the shooting target with the target connector and a release configuration where the target retainer is arranged to permit the shooting target to fly off the target connector, the target retainer being configured to be moved by the shooting target from the retaining configuration to the release configuration as the target connector receives the shooting target.   
     
     
         23 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 22 , wherein the target retainer is biased toward the retaining configuration. 
     
     
         24 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 23 , wherein the target retainer includes a target holder configured to engage the shooting target to retain the shooting target with the target connector when in the retaining configuration. 
     
     
         25 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 24 , wherein the target holder is moveable radially relative to the axis of rotation between the retaining and release configurations. 
     
     
         26 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 24 , wherein the target connector includes a nose portion sized and shaped to be received in a central opening of the shooting target, the target holder projecting radially outward of the nose portion when in the retaining configuration. 
     
     
         27 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 24 , wherein the target retainer includes a spring biasing the target holder toward the retaining configuration. 
     
     
         28 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 22 , further comprising a prime mover supported by the housing and configured to rotate the target connector about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         29 . The shooting target launcher of  claim 28 , wherein the prime mover comprises an electric motor.