BOTTLE CAP MILK JUG ADAPTER TARGET HOLDER SYSTEM

Abstract

A bottle cap milk jug adapter target holder system having a bracket system including an L-shaped bracket, a threaded bottle port, and a variety of target adapters, to which various targets may be affixed, including bottles, balls, and other targets.

Description

I. BACKGROUND

A. Field

The present teaching is directed to apparatuses and methods regarding target shooting. More specifically, the present teaching is directed to apparatuses and methods for target shooting primarily utilizing common disposable bottles, such as water bottles, soda bottles, shampoo bottles, and milk jugs.

B. Description of Related Art

Target shooting is a common pastime of hunters, riflemen, and gun enthusiasts across the world. More reliable than hunting and waiting for game to shoot during hunting seasons, and more consistently available, target shooting can be practiced any place large enough to support a shooting range. A typical shooting range utilizes inanimate, often stationary, objects to serve as targets at which to aim and shoot.

Targets typically span a broad range of objects and items, from common household trash to professional, standardized paper or cardboard targets. For any individual not practicing at a public, maintained shooting range, or engaged in professional or competitive shooting, options for targets are often limited to common household items. For such individuals, target shooting is often practiced in a back yard or wooded area, and such limited targets can be time-consuming and troublesome to position and set up in an effective and safe manner.

Any practical target-shooting apparatus must secure the targets such that they do not shift, fall, or become displaced during the target shooting practice. This can be difficult to achieve when shooting small, freestanding items, as they can be shifted by the wind, positioned poorly, toppled over, or otherwise moved in unexpected ways while the shooter is aiming down the range. This movement can distract the shooter, resulting in unsafe practice conditions, or frustrate attempts to use the targets for shooting practice. Common methods of securing such targets can be time-consuming and inconvenient, especially if securement of the objects must be accomplished after each shot or series of shots.

A shooter using the targets might secure them by means of weighting the objects down or nailing the targets to a tree. However, such methods are inadequate, as they are either ineffective to completely secure the object, or they require constant trips up and down the shooting range to manage the targets in between shots.

The present teaching attempts to solve these issues by providing a safe, secure apparatus for fastening shooting practice targets. The present teaching allows fastening of common, household items (especially bottles and jugs) easily, repeatably, and securely.

Overall, the present teaching described allows practice shooters to secure common household objects, such as bottles and jugs, easily and safely, in pursuit of the activities described above.

II. Summary

In accordance with one aspect of the present teaching, a target holder system comprising a bracket system comprising at least one L-shaped bracket, having a target section extending longitudinally and a support section, also extending longitudinally, substantially perpendicular to the target section. The target section has an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, at least one target attachment affixed to the bracket target section outer surface, and at least one target affixed to the target attachment. The bracket system may further comprise a target-Ferris-wheel with a circular frame, having a bracing surface and a shooting surface and a plurality of bracing members extending from one bracing surface to an opposite side bracing surface. The target-Ferris-wheel can also comprise a base stand, the circular frame rotatably connected to the base stand, at the center of the circular frame, and the support sections of a plurality of L-shaped brackets are affixed to the shooting surface of the circular frame. The L-shaped brackets disposed radially about the circumference of the circular frame. Or, the target holder system bracket system can be attached to a stationary object. The bracket support section has at least one through-hole and is attached to the stationary object by means of fasteners. The fasteners secure the bracket support section to the stationary object using the at least one through-hole. The fasteners can be screws.

In accordance with another aspect of the present teaching, the bracket support member can be a plurality of tabs spaced equidistantly along the length of the bracket, or a single-piece member. The target attachment can be molded together with the bracket target section outer surface, attached via at least one through-hole disposed on the bracket target section, from the inside surface to the outside surface. The at least one target attachment having a threaded tine extending from the attachment and a threaded nut corresponding to the threaded tine, wherein the target attachment is affixed to the bracket target section outer surface by inserting the threaded tine into the target section through-hole and threading the nut onto the tine, securing the target attachment to the bracket. The target attachment can also have at least one slot, disposed on the target section outer surface, the target attachment having an attachment base, which attachment base corresponds to fit within the target section outer surface slot, and wherein the target attachment is affixed to the target section outer surface by means of the slot.

In accordance with another aspect of the present teaching, a target system as above, wherein the target attachment further comprises a female threaded bottle port extending distally from the attachment base, the bottle port corresponding to male threaded throats of common disposable bottles, such that the disposable bottles may be threadedly connectable with the port.

In accordance with another aspect of the present teaching, the attachment can further comprise a clip adapter having a threaded base, having threads which correspond to the female threaded bottle port, a spring-operated clip extending from the threaded base opposite the threads, and the clip adapter being threadedly connectable to the bottle port.

In accordance with another aspect of the present teaching, the attachment can further comprise a frame adapter having a threaded base, having threads which correspond to the female threaded bottle port, a wire frame having plastic tabs disposed along the edges of the frame, such that targets may be affixed to the plastic tabs, the adapter being threadedly connectable to the bottle port.

In accordance with another aspect of the present teaching, the attachment can further comprise a rod adapter having a threaded base, having threads which correspond to the female threaded bottle port, and a rod receiver disposed within the center of the threaded base, the rod receiver having an outer diameter smaller than that of the threaded base outer diameter, an adapter rod having a thread end and a shooting end, and the rod also having threads disposed on the thread end, which threads correspond to the rod receiver. Targets may be selectively attachable to the rod shooting end, and the adapter is threadedly connectable to the bottle port.

In accordance with another aspect of the present teaching, a bracket system for a target holder, comprising at least one L-shaped bracket, having a target section extending longitudinally and a support section, also extending longitudinally, substantially perpendicular to the target section, the target section having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, at least one target attachment affixed to the bracket target section outer surface, and at least one target affixed to the target attachment. The bracket system can be attached to a stationary object, wherein the bracket support section has at least one through-hole, and the bracket system attached to the stationary object by means of fasteners. Wherein, the fasteners secure the bracket support section to the stationary object using the at least one through-hole. The bracket support section can comprise a single-piece member.

In accordance with another aspect of the present teaching, the bracket system further comprises at least one slot, disposed on the target section outer surface, the target attachment having an attachment base, which attachment base corresponds to fit within the target section outer surface slot, wherein the target attachment is affixed to the target section outer surface by means of the slot. The target attachment can further comprise a female threaded bottle port extending distally from the attachment base, the bottle port corresponding to male threaded throats of common disposable bottles, such that the disposable bottles may be threadedly connectable with the port.

In accordance with another aspect of the present teaching, the bracket target attachment can further comprise a clip adapter having a threaded base, having threads which correspond to the female threaded bottle port, a spring-operated clip extending from the threaded base opposite the threads, and the clip adapter being threadedly connectable to the bottle port.

In accordance with another aspect of the present teaching, the bracket target attachment can further comprise a frame adapter having a threaded base, having threads which correspond to the female threaded bottle port, a wire frame having plastic tabs disposed along the edges of the frame, such that targets may be affixed to the plastic tabs, the adapter being threadedly connectable to the bottle port.

In accordance with another aspect of the present teaching, a target holder system comprising a bracket system comprising at least one L-shaped bracket, having a target section extending longitudinally and a support section, also extending longitudinally, substantially perpendicular to the target section, the target section having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and at least one slot disposed on the target section outer surface, and the support section being a single-piece member and having at least one through-hole. At least one target attachment is affixed to the target section outer surface, the target attachment having an attachment base, which attachment base corresponds to fit within the target section outer surface slot. Wherein, the target attachment comprises a female threaded bottle port extending distally from the attachment base, the bottle port corresponding to male threaded throats of common disposable bottles, such that the disposable bottles may be threadedly connectable with the port, and wherein the target attachment is affixed to the target section outer surface by means of the slot. The bracket system is attached to a stationary object, and the bracket system is attached to the stationary object by means of fasteners, wherein the fasteners secure the bracket support section to the stationary object using the at least one through-hole. At least one target is affixed to the target attachment.

Still other benefits and advantages of the present teaching will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The above drawings form part of the disclosure and specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present teaching, which aspects will be described in detail later in this specification. The present teaching may be better understood by reference to these drawings in conjunction with the detailed description.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a target holder system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the L-bracket;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the L-bracket;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the L-bracket;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a particular aspect of the support section;

FIG. 6 is a perspective back view of the L-bracket;

FIG. 7a is a front view of a particular aspect of the target section;

FIG. 7b is an explode view of the aspect shown in FIG. 7a;

FIG. 8 is a close, perspective view of the bottle port;

FIG. 9a is a front view of a target attachment adapter threaded base;

FIG. 9b is a front view of a spring-operated clip;

FIG. 9c is a front view of the target attachment clip adapter;

FIG. 9d is a front view of the target attachment clip adapter holding a target;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a target attachment frame adapter;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a target attachment rod adapter; and

FIG. 12 is a front view of a target-Ferris-wheel.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating aspects of the present teaching only and not for purposes of limiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals are understood to refer to like components, FIG. 1 shows a target holder system 10 according to some aspects of the present teaching. The target holder system 10 may have a bracket system 14 and be configured to hold and retain objects, such as bottles, balls, and other targets.

With reference now to FIGS. 1-2, the target holder may have a bracket system 14 according to some aspects of the present subject matter. The bracket system 14 may include at least one L-shaped bracket 12, having a support section 20 and a target section 22, and at least one target attachment 72. The L-shaped bracket sections 20, 22 can extend longitudinally, substantially perpendicular to one another. Each of the support section 20 and target section 22 can be configured according to different needs and aspects, as described below. The target attachment 72 can affix to the target section outer surface 32 and hold targets, as described above.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the support section 20 can have at least one through-hole 40, which may be disposed along the length of the support section 20, and attach the bracket system 14 to a stationary object via fasteners. The fasteners may be screws or other fastening devices chosen according to sound engineering judgment and secure the bracket support section 20 to the stationary object using the through-hole(s) 40. The support section 20 may be a single, solid-length piece, or alternatively may be a plurality of tabs 50 spaced equidistantly along the length of the bracket 12 (FIG. 5).

With reference to FIGS. 2-7b, the target section 22 can have an inner surface 30 and an outer surface 32 opposite the inner surface 30. The target section 22 may have a slot 60 disposed on the target section outer surface 32 and configured to fit a target attachment base, as detailed below. In an alternative aspect, the target section 22 may contain at least one through-hole 70 disposed on the bracket target section 22, from the inside surface to the outside surface.

With reference to FIGS. 6-8, the target attachment 76 can affix to the target section outer surface 32 and may contain a female threaded bottle port 84 and adapters according to various aspects of the present teaching. The target attachment 76 may contain an attachment base 82 corresponding to fit a slot 60 in the target section outer surface 32. Alternatively, the target attachment 76 can be molded to the target section outer surface 32 or contain a threaded tine 72 extending from the attachment 76, to be secured within a through-hole 70 in the target section 22 via a threaded nut 74. The bottle port 84 can extend distally from the attachment base 82, contain threads 86 within the port 84, and correspond to male threaded throats of common disposable bottles, such that the disposable bottles may be threadedly connectable with the port 84. The adapter can be a clip adapter, a frame adapter, or a rod adapter, as detailed below.

With reference to FIGS. 8-9b, the clip adapter 90 may contain a threaded base 92 and a spring-operated clip 94. The threaded base 92 can have threads which correspond to the target attachment bottle port 84, allowing the adapter 90 to be threadedly connectable with the bottle port 84. The spring-operated clip 94 may extend from the threaded base 92 opposite the threads.

With reference now to FIGS. 8 and 10, the frame adapter 100 can contain a threaded base 104 and a wire frame 102. The threaded base 104 can have threads which correspond to the target attachment bottle port 84, allowing the adapter to be threadedly connectable with the bottle port 84. The wire frame 102 may have plastic tabs 106 disposed along the edges of the frame 102, allowing targets to be affixed to the plastic tabs 106.

With reference to FIG. 11, the rod adapter 110 may contain a threaded base 114 and an adapter rod 112. The threaded base 114 can have threads which correspond to the target attachment bottle port 84, allowing the adapter 110 to be threadedly connectable with the bottle port 84, and a rod receiver 116 disposed within the center of the threaded base 114. The rod receiver 116 may have an outer diameter smaller than that of the threaded base 114 outer diameter. The adapter rod 112 can have a thread end 118 and a shooting end 119. There can be threads disposed on the thread end 118, which correspond to the rod receiver 116, and targets can be selectively attachable to the rod shooting end 119.

With reference to FIGS. 1-11, the target holder 10 components may interact with each other according to some aspects of the present subject matter. The attachment base of the target attachment 82 can be inserted into the slot 60 in the outer surface 32 of the target section 22. The bracket system support section 20 can then be secured to a stationary object via fasteners and the support section through-hole(s) 40. Bottles may then be screwed into the target attachment bottle port 84. Alternatively, a clip adapter 90, frame adapter 100, or rod adapter 110 may be screwed into the bottle port 84 to allow different targets to be secured to the bracket 12.

With reference now to FIG. 12, in a particular aspect, the bracket system 10 can have a target-ferris-wheel 120 including a circular frame 122, bracing members 124, a base stand 126, and L-shaped brackets 12 of the sort described above. The circular frame 122 can have a bracing surface 127 and a shooting surface 128. The bracing members 124 can extend from one bracing surface 127 to an opposite side bracing surface 127 within the circular frame 122. The base stand 126 supports the circular frame 122, allowing the frame 122 to stand upright, and the circular frame 122 is rotatably connected to the base stand 126, at the center of the circular frame 122. The L-shaped brackets 12 present in this aspect include all of the features discussed above but additionally are disposed radially about the circumference of the circular frame 122, affixed to the circular frame shooting surface 128.

Numerous aspects have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of the present subject matter. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Having thus described the present teaching, it is now claimed:

Claims

1. A target holder system comprising: a bracket system comprising: at least one bracket, having a target section extending longitudinally and a support section, also extending longitudinally, substantially perpendicular to the target section;the target section having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface;at least one target attachment affixed to the bracket target section outer surface; andat least one target affixed to the target attachment.

2. The target holder system of claim 1, wherein the bracket system further comprises: a target-Ferris-wheel comprising: a substantially circular frame, having at least a first and second bracing surface and a shooting surface;a plurality of bracing members extending from the first bracing surface to an opposite side second bracing surface;a base stand;the substantially circular frame rotatably connected to the base stand, at the center of the substantially circular frame; andwherein the support sections of a plurality of brackets are affixed to the shooting surface of the substantially circular frame;the brackets disposed radially about the circumference of the substantially circular frame.

3. The target holder system of claim 1, wherein: the bracket system is attached to a stationary object;the bracket support section has at least one through-hole; andthe bracket system attached to the stationary object by means of fasteners, wherein the fasteners secure the bracket support section to the stationary object using the at least one through-hole.

4. The target holder system of claim 3, wherein: the bracket support section comprises a plurality of tabs; andthe tabs spaced equidistantly along the length of the bracket.

5. The target holder system of claim 3, wherein the bracket support section comprises a single-piece member.

6. The target holder system of claim 5, wherein the bracket system target attachment is molded together with the bracket target section outer surface.

7. The target holder system of claim 5, wherein the bracket system further comprises: at least one through-hole disposed on the bracket target section, from the inside surface to the outside surface;the at least one target attachment having a threaded tine extending from the attachment;a threaded nut corresponding to the threaded tine; andwherein the target attachment is affixed to the bracket target section outer surface by inserting the threaded tine into the target section through-hole and threading the nut onto the tine, securing the target attachment to the bracket.

8. The target holder system of claim 5, wherein the bracket system further comprises: at least one slot, disposed on the target section outer surface;the at least one target attachment having an attachment base, which attachment base corresponds to fit within the target section outer surface slot; andwherein the target attachment is affixed to the target section outer surface by means of the slot.

9. The target holder system of claim 8, wherein the target attachment further comprises: a female threaded bottle port extending distally from the attachment base, the female threaded bottle port corresponding to male threaded throats of disposable bottles, such that the disposable bottles may be threadedly connectable with the female threaded bottle port.

10. The target holder system of claim 9, wherein the target attachment further comprises: a clip adapter comprising:a threaded base, having threads which correspond to the female threaded bottle port; anda spring-operated clip extending from the threaded base opposite the threads, wherein the adapter is threadedly connectable to the female threaded bottle port.

11. The target holder system of claim 9, wherein the target attachment further comprises: a frame adapter comprising: a threaded base, having threads which correspond to the female threaded bottle port; anda wire frame having tabs disposed along the edges of the frame, such that targets may be affixed to the tabs, wherein the frame adapter is threadedly connectable to the female threaded bottle port.

12. The target holder system of claim 9, wherein the target attachment further comprises: a rod adapter comprising: a threaded base, having threads which correspond to the female threaded bottle port, and a rod receiver disposed within the center of the threaded base;the rod receiver having an outer diameter smaller than that of the threaded base outer diameter;an adapter rod having a thread end and a shooting end;the rod also having threads disposed on the thread end, which threads correspond to the rod receiver; andwherein targets may be selectively attachable to the rod shooting end, wherein the rod adapter is threadedly connectable to the female threaded bottle port.

13. A bracket system for a target holder, comprising: at least one bracket, having a target section extending longitudinally and a support section, also extending longitudinally, substantially perpendicular to the target section;the target section having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface;at least one target attachment affixed to the bracket target section outer surface; andat least one target affixed to the target attachment.

14. The bracket system of claim 13, wherein: the bracket system is attached to a stationary object;the bracket support section has at least one through-hole;the bracket system attached to the stationary object by means of fasteners;wherein the fasteners secure the bracket support section to the stationary object using the at least one through-hole.

15. The bracket system of claim 14, wherein the bracket support section comprises a single-piece member.

16. The bracket system of claim 15, wherein the bracket system further comprises: at least one slot, disposed on the target section outer surface; andthe at least one target attachment having an attachment base, which attachment base corresponds to fit within the target section outer surface slot, wherein the target attachment is affixed to the target section outer surface by means of the slot.

17. The bracket system of claim 16, wherein the target attachment further comprises: a female threaded bottle port extending distally from the attachment base; andthe female threaded bottle port corresponding to male threaded throats of disposable bottles, such that the disposable bottles may be threadedly connectable with the female threaded bottle port.

18. The bracket system of claim 17, wherein the target attachment further comprises: a clip adapter comprising: a threaded base, having threads which correspond to the female threaded bottle port; anda spring-operated clip extending from the threaded base opposite the threads, wherein the clip adapter is threadedly connectable to the female threaded bottle port.

19. The bracket system of claim 17, wherein the target attachment further comprises: a frame adapter comprising: a threaded base, having threads which correspond to the female threaded bottle port; anda wire frame having plastic tabs disposed along the edges of the frame, such that targets may be affixed to the plastic tabs, wherein the frame adapter is threadedly connectable to the female threaded bottle port.

20. A target holder system comprising: a bracket system comprising: at least one bracket, having a target section extending longitudinally and a support section, also extending longitudinally, substantially perpendicular to the target section;the target section having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and at least one slot disposed on the target section outer surface;the support section being a single-piece member and having at least one through-hole;at least one target attachment affixed to the target section outer surface;the target attachment having an attachment base, which attachment base corresponds to fit within the target section outer surface slot;wherein the target attachment comprises: a female threaded bottle port extending distally from the attachment base;the female threaded bottle port corresponding to male threaded throats of disposable bottles, such that the disposable bottles may be threadedly connectable with the female threaded bottle port, wherein the target attachment is affixed to the target section outer surface by means of the slot;the bracket system is attached to a stationary object;the bracket system attached to the stationary object by means of fasteners, wherein the fasteners secure the bracket support section to the stationary object using the at least one through-hole; andat least one target affixed to the target attachment.