Patent Application
20130270772
The present disclosure relates generally to an archery target configured to receive a pointed projectile, such as an arrow. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an archery target having an extended useful life while also providing a three-dimensional representation of an animal.
Archery targets formed as three-dimensional animal simulating archery targets are intended to provide an archer with realistic hunting conditions. Such targets are generally formed of molded foam having a shape resembling that of a game animal, for example a deer, wolf or a bear. Due to their size and the level of detail included, such targets are often costly to manufacturer, as thus, are relatively expensive for consumers. After repeated strikes from a pointed projectile, certain portions of such targets are likely to deteriorate thereby requiring the targets to be replaced. Accordingly, there is a need for an archery target that provides a three-dimensional representation of at least a portion of an animal and has an extended useful life.
One exemplary embodiment relates to an archery target. The archery target includes a main target body defining an aperture and a target insert configured to fit within the aperture. The target insert has a first target surface and a second target surface. The first target surface defines a first target zone and a second target zone. The second target surface defines a third target zone and a fourth target zone. The target insert is configured to be selectively repositionable by a user to allow any one of the first target zone, the second target zone, the third target zone and the fourth target zone to be positioned in a primary target area of the archery target.
Another exemplary embodiment relates to an archery target. The archery target includes a main target body that simulates a three-dimensional animal. The main target body forms a first target surface and defines an aperture in an anatomically correct area of at least one vital organ of the animal. The aperture is sized to extend beyond the area of the at least one vital organ. The archery target also includes a target insert configured to substantially fill the aperture. The target insert has a first side that forms a second target surface and a second side that forms a third target surface. The second target surface has a first target zone and a second target zone. The third target surface has a third target zone and a fourth target zone. The target insert is selectively repositionable relative to the main target body between a first position in which the first target zone is within the area of the at least one vital organ, a second position in which the second target zone is within the area of the at least one vital organ, a third position in which the third target zone is within the area of the at least one vital organ, and a fourth position in which the fourth target zone is within the area of the at least one vital organ.
Another exemplary embodiment relates to an insert for an archery target. The insert includes a first side forming a first target surface. The first target surface has a first target zone and a second target zone. The insert also includes a second side forming a second target surface. The second target surface has a third target zone and a fourth target zone. The target insert is configured to be selectively repositionable relative to the archery target between a first position in which the first target zone is within a primary target area of archery target, a second position in which the second target zone is within the primary target area of the archery target, a third position in which the third target zone is within the primary target area of the archery target, and a fourth position in which the fourth target zone is within the primary target area of the archery target.
Referring generally to the FIGURES, an archery target 10 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The archery target 10 has a primary target zone or area that is intended to receive many more projectile strikes than other portions of the archery target 10. According to the embodiment illustrated, the primary target area is located where the vital organs of the animal would typically be located. Defining this primary target area is a target insert 20 that is received within a main target body 50 of the archery target 10. The target insert 20 is sized and configured to not only define the primary target area but also an area outside of the primary target area. The positioning of the target insert 20 relative to the main target body 50 is intended to be repositionable (e.g., reconfigurable, adjustable, etc.) so that the target insert 20 can be selectively moved by a user between a number of different target positions. For example, according to the embodiment illustrated, the target insert 20 is configured to be selectively removed, manipulated (e.g., rotated, flipped, turned, etc.) and reinserted relative to the main target body 50 by a user to achieve the different target positions. In each of the different target positions, a different portion of the target insert 20 is located within the primary target area, while the portion of the target insert 20 that was previously defining the primary target area is now moved away from the primary target area. Allowing the target insert 20 to be repositionable in such a manner may alleviate the need to replace the target insert 20, not to mention the archery target 10 as a whole, after the useful life of a portion of the target insert that is within the primary target area has been expended.
Before discussing the details of the archery target 10, it should be noted at the outset that references to “front,” “back,” “rear,” “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” and “left” in this description are merely used to identify the sides and/or surfaces of the archery target 10 as they are oriented in the FIGURES. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the approximate center of the archery target and/or designated parts thereof. These terms are not meant to limit the element which they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications. It should further be noted that for purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.
Referring to
According to an exemplary embodiment, the archery target 10 generally includes the main target body 50 and the target insert 20. Referring to
According to an exemplary embodiment, the main target body 50 is intended to receive incoming projectiles and is constructed of a molded polyurethane foam that is configured to quickly stop the incoming projectiles and allows them to be pulled out or otherwise removed from the main target body 50 without requiring any sort of lubricant or removal device. Of course, other suitable foam or other materials may be used to form the main target body 50. According to an exemplary embodiment, the density of the polyurethane foam may be similar to the density of one or more parts of an actual animal so as to more closely simulate projectile penetration under hunting conditions. The density is likely to be substantially constant throughout the main target body 50, but alternatively, the density may vary in different locations, for example, if it would be desirable to provide different densities for different target zones.
The archery target 10 may also include a structure that assists in supporting the archery target 10 in a desired (e.g., upright, etc.) use position. According to an exemplary embodiment, the archery target 10 includes a mounting structure that is coupled to the main target body 50 to facilitate supporting the archery target 10 in the desired use position. According to the embodiment illustrated, the mounting structure includes one or more mounting rods or stakes 62 extending from the bottom of one or more legs. In such an embodiment, the stakes 62 are tubular members made of a strong rigid material, such as metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, etc.) and may be molded into the main target body 50 during the process of forming the relevant sections of the main target body 50. The archery target 10 may be mounted in position for use by driving the stakes 62 into the ground or by driving separate stakes into the ground and attaching the stakes 62 thereto (e.g., by placing open ends of the stakes 62 over exposed ends of the stakes that have been inserted into the ground, etc.) or by securing the stakes 62 to a structure (e.g., panel, etc.) that rests on top of the ground or by any other suitable technique.
With use, a certain portion of the archery target 10 (i.e., a primary target area) is likely to receive many more arrow strikes than other portions of the archery target 10. Such a primary target area of the archery target 10 may correspond, for example, to a portion of the body of the animal represented by the archery target 10 corresponding to a critical target area (e.g., a portion of the animal's body containing vital organs, etc.). Such a primary target area of the archery target 10 will tend to deteriorate more rapidly, due to repeated arrow strikes, than other portions of the archery target 10. According to an exemplary embodiment, such a primary target area on the archery target 10 is defined by a portion of the target insert 20. The target insert 20 in configured to be selectively repositionable by a user so that when the portion of the target insert 20 that is within the primary target area becomes excessively damaged, due to repeated arrow strikes, the target insert 20 may be selectively repositioned relative to the main target body 50 so that a different portion of the target insert 20 is now within the primary target area and the other portion is removed from the primary target area. Thus, the archery target 10 may be restored to a useful condition without requiring replacement of the target insert 20 or the entire archery target 10. The use of the target insert 20 increases the useful life of and, therefore, reduces the operational cost of, the archery target 10.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the target insert 20 is an elongated member having a first a lateral side 22 and an opposite second lateral side 24. The shape of the target insert 20 corresponds to (e.g., matches, etc.) the shape of the aperture 52. According to an exemplary embodiment, the shape of the target insert 20, and the corresponding shape of the aperture 52, are such that the target insert 20 can be inserted into the aperture 52 in a number of different positions or orientations relative to the main target body 50. Referring to
According to the embodiment illustrated, the target insert 20 has a substantially oval or oblong shape when viewed from the side. According to the various alternative embodiments, the target insert 20 may have any number of suitable shapes including, but not limited to, rectangular, circular, polygonal, etc. Each of the first lateral side 22 and the second lateral 24 includes a plurality of visually separate and distinct (e.g., defined, etc.) target zones (i.e., areas that are configured to be separately positioned within a primary target area of the archery target 10). According to the embodiment illustrated, the first lateral side 22 includes a first target zone 26 and a second target zone 28, while the second lateral side 24 includes a third target zone 30 and a fourth target zone 32. At any given time, only one of the target zones is configured to be located within the primary target area of the archery target 10 along a given side of the archery target 10, while the remaining target zones are spaced apart from the primary target area. Providing the insert 20 with four separate and distinct target zones that can each be selectively positioned within the primary target area allows the target insert 20 to have an extended useful life. According to the various alternative embodiments, the insert 20 may be provided with any of a number of target zones including a number of target zones that is less than or greater than four.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the aperture 52 is defined by the central body portion 56 of the main target body 50. The aperture 52 may be formed in the central body section 56 during the process of forming the main target body 50 or may be formed during a secondary operation (e.g., by cutting out the aperture 52, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the aperture 52 extends through the entire central body portion 56 as shown by the phantom lines in
According to an exemplary embodiment, the first target zone 26 is visually distinguishable from the second target zone 28, while the third target zone 30 is visually distinguishable from the fourth target zone 32. According to the embodiment illustrated, a marking, shown as diagonal lines 64 and 66, visually separate the first target zone 26 from the second target zone 28 and the third target zone from the fourth target zone 32 respectively. The lines 64 and 66 may be formed by painting or otherwise applying a mark to the outer surfaces of the target insert 20, or, as shown, by molding or otherwise forming a three-dimensional ridge or groove in the target insert 20 to define the lines 64 and 66. According to the various alternative embodiments, the marking may take any of a number of forms and/or orientations or may be eliminated entirely. For example, the marking may be in the form of a vital organ of the animal.
According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the target zones provided on the target insert 20 includes a bull's eye or other target mark. For example, the first target zone 26 includes a first target mark 68, the second target zone 28 includes a second target mark 70, the third target zone 30 includes a third target mark 72 and the fourth target zone 32 includes a fourth target mark 74. The first and second target marks 68 and 70 are shown in
To facilitate securing the target insert 20 relative to the main target body 50 when received within aperture 52, the target insert 20 is sized to be substantially the same as the aperture 52 such that a friction fit exists between an outer surface of the target insert 20 and an inner surface of the main target body 50. Such a friction fit allows the target to be readily inserted by a user while still providing a sufficient retaining force to secure the target insert 20 to the main target body 50. According to the various alternative embodiments, the target insert 20 could be held in place by an interference fit, one or more fasteners or one or more support rods which extend through the target insert 20 and the main target body 50. For example, target insert 20 may be held in place by one or more removable support rods which extend through support rod apertures formed in the main target body 50 and the target insert 20. Such support rods may extend entirely through the target insert 20 or only partially into the target insert 20. Such support rods may be hollow or solid, and made of any appropriate rigid or semi-rigid material, such as plastic. Forming the support rods of a material such as a low density polyethylene may provide the desired rigidity while not damaging the head of an arrow should the arrow penetrate into the target insert 20 to such a depth as to contact the support rods. Further, such support rods may be pointed, or slightly pointed, at one end thereof, to facilitate inserting the support rods through the support rod apertures.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the target insert 20 is made of the same material as the main target body 50. For example the target insert 20 may be constructed of a molded polyurethane foam that is configured to quickly stop incoming projectiles and allows them to be pulled out or otherwise removed from the target insert 20 without requiring any sort of lubricant or removal device. Of course, other suitable foam or other materials may be used to form the target insert 20. According to an exemplary embodiment, the density of the polyurethane foam may be similar to the density of one or more parts of an actual animal so as to more closely simulate projectile penetration under hunting conditions. The density is likely to be substantially constant throughout the target insert 20, but alternatively, the density may vary in different locations, for example, if it would be desirable to provide different densities for different target zones. According to the various alternative embodiments, the target insert 20 may be made of a more dense and, therefore, less rapidly deteriorated, material than the main target body 50.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the target insert 20 may be configured to be replaceable in addition to be repositionable. For example, the target insert 20 may be intended to be replaced after the useful life of each of the different target zones on the target insert 20 has been expended. As such, after each target zone of the target insert 20 becomes excessively damaged, due to repeated arrow strikes, the target insert 20 may be replaced with a new target insert 20. Thus, the archery target 10 may be restored to a useful condition without requiring replacement of the entire archery target 10. Configuring the target insert 20 to be replaceable, in addition to being repositionable, only further increases the useful life of and, therefore, reduces the operational cost of, the archery target 10.
Referring to
For example, to achieve the position shown in
To achieve the position shown in
To achieve the position shown in
According to an exemplary embodiment, it may be desirable to reposition the target insert 20 regardless of whether the target zone that is within the primary target area has become excessively damaged. For example, the target insert 20 may be configured to have different target marks in the different target zones and/or different performance characteristics (e.g., densities, etc.) in the different target zones such that a user may desire to change the position of the target insert 20 for reasons other than simply because a portion of the target insert 20 is damaged. For example, one or more of the target zones 28-32 may be intended to be used with a particular projectile. If, and when, a user is going to use such a projectile, the user can selectively reposition the target insert 20 so that the appropriate target zone is within the primary target area.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the archery target 10 as shown in the exemplary embodiment is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. It should be noted that the components of the archery target may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient functionality and/or strength or durability. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the appended claims.
The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating configuration and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the appended claims.
