Patent Application
20220349681
The present disclosure relates to a target stand, and more particularly, a collapsible target stand having a base support assembly, an upright support frame, and a target plate, wherein each of the base support assembly, the upright support frame, and the target plate are detachable with each other. Although the present disclosure is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for the base support assembly to be expandable and for the upright support frame to be foldable, enable the storage and transportation.
Generally, target shooting or shooting competition is a common and popular sport involving shooting at targets generally made of papers having shapes such as a bullseye or game animal or predator thereon. Target shooting can involve shooting at either moving targets or stationary targets. Especially to the stationary targets, the targets are placed at a distance and shot a number of times, and then are moved and replaced with another target. Typically, the targets have to be supported and suspended above the ground, so a conventional target stand has been developed to satisfy as needed.
One non-limiting example of the problems associated with the conventional target stand is that the conventional target stand are not easily transported from place to place and are easily damaged during use and suffer from additional structural shortcoming which necessitate certain new and useful improvement.
To overcome this known problem, a portable target stand has been developed in the market. However, the portable target stand still needs to occupy a larger storage space while the target stand at the storage position. For instance, the support frame is not foldable or even if the support frame has a foldable configuration, it is still lack of mechanism to stably remain the support frame in an upright position.
In another non-limiting example, in order to overcome the impact of the bullets, currently-available portable target stands are designed to be sturdy and steady on the rough, uneven, or sloping ground or snow, and above low bushes or weeds. What is needed is a sturdy, foldable, and portable target stand which can be set up easily and safely without using supplemental tools. The current target stand with sturdy configuration still have to be installed with complicity steps and with supplemental tools in order to position the target thereon.
Considering the somewhat valuable nature of a target stand, the design should be plain and simple, and replacement parts should be easy to find, buy, and install. There may exist a desire to develop a collapsible target stand which is enabled to be set up or collapsed with simple steps.
All referenced patents, applications and literatures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein, is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. The disclosed embodiments may seek to satisfy one or more of the above-mentioned desires. Although the present embodiments may obviate one or more of the above-mentioned desires, it should be understood that some aspects of the embodiments might not necessarily obviate them.
In a general implementation, a collapsible target stand comprises a base support assembly having a plurality of legs rotatable between an expanded position wherein the legs are radially arranged and an unexpanded position wherein the legs are downwardly rotated to be disposed adjacent with each other; an upright support frame detachably connected with the base support assembly, the upright support frame comprising a first support frame having a first top end pivotally connected to a second bottom end of a second support frame and a third support frame pivotally connected to a second top end of the second support frame; a locking assembly configured to lock the first support frame in an unfolded position; a target plate being detachable about and suspended on the third support frame; wherein the first support frame is rotatable between a folded position wherein the first support frame has one side being coincident with the second support frame and the unfolded position wherein the first support frame is unfolded and disposed in alignment with the second support frame.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, at least one of the base support assembly further comprises a top plate having an elongated slot where a first bottom end of the first support frame is inserted therethrough.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the first bottom end of the first support frame comprises a broad portion configured to be biased against the top plate and a narrow portion integrally extended from the broad portion to be inserted into the elongated slot.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the locking assembly comprises a receiving slot formed on the second support frame and a U-shaped locking member linked with a lever affixed on the first support frame, wherein the U-shaped locking member is received inside the receiving slot for locking the first support frame in the unfolded position.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the base support assembly further comprises a bottom plate having a plurality of elongated side slots, wherein in the unexpanded, a part of each of the legs is downwardly rotated and passed through the side slots to be parallelly aligned with each other.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the target stand further comprises a bottom retaining member pivotally connected with the first support frame and the second support frame via two separated pivots, wherein the first top end of the first support frame and the second bottom end of the second support frame are rotatable about the bottom retaining member.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the first support frame comprises a first bottom end opposite of the first top end and detachably connected with the base support assembly, and the second top end of the second support frame is opposite of the second bottom end of the second support frame.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the third support frame comprises a distal end pivotally connected with the second support frame and a proximal end having a protrusion being engaging with a U-shaped mounting member mounted on the target plate.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the base support assembly further comprises a top plate and a bottom plate, wherein an operation cavity is defined between the top plate and the bottom plate with pairs of side plates mounted within the operation cavity.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, each pair of the side plate define an operation slot aligned with an elongated side slot formed on the bottom plate, wherein a part of each of the legs is slidable within the operation slot and passed through the elongated side slot.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the lever is downwardly flipped to lock the U-shaped locking member in the receiving slot.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, a length of the first support frame is equal to a length of the second support frame.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the top plate consists of an elongated slot.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the locking assembly is arranged on a first right side of the first support frame and a second right side of the second support frame, wherein the first support frame is foldable towards a second left side of the second support frame, wherein the second left side of the second support frame is opposite of the second left side of the second support frame.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the pairs of side plates are vertically arranged and mounted on the top plate and the bottom plate.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the target stand further comprises a pair of bottom retaining members pivotally connected with the first support frame and the second support frame via two separated pivots, wherein a first top end of the first support frame and the second bottom end of the second support frame are rotatable within a bottom retaining slot defining between the pair of the bottom retaining member.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the target plate further comprises a pair of mounting member defining a mounting slot where a proximal end of the third support frame is rotatable and arranged therein.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the pair of the mounting member comprises a U-shaped mounting member having an elongated opening to slidably engage with a protrusion mounted on the third support frame.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, in the unfolded position, the first support frame is disposed with respect to the second support frame to form a straight angle.
In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the third support frame comprises a proximal end having a width greater than a width of a distal end of the third support frame, wherein the proximal end is opposite of the distal end.
While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above and below as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, example operations, methods, or processes described herein may include more steps or fewer steps than those described. Further, the steps in such example operations, methods, or processes may be performed in different successions than that described or illustrated in the figures. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.
It should be noted that the drawing figures may be in simplified form and might not be to precise scale. In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, front, distal, and proximal are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. Such directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the embodiment in any manner.
The different aspects of the various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the embodiments, which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below.
The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably. It shall be understood that the term “means,” as used herein, shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.
Referring to
In an embodiment, the first support frame 31 comprises a first front side 314 and a first rear side opposite of the first front side 314, wherein a thickness of the first support frame 31 is defined between the first front side 314 and a first rear side. Here, the second support frame 32 comprises a second front side 324 and a second rear side 325 (as shown in
Referring to
In an embodiment, the first support frame 31 comprises a first left side 317 and a first right side 316 opposite of the first left side 317, wherein a width of the first support frame 31, including the broad portion 321A and the narrow portion 321B formed on the first bottom end 312 of the first support frame 31, as shown the detail of
In another embodiment, the second support frame 32 comprises a second left side 327 and a second right side 326 opposite of a second left side 327 of the second support frame 32. Here, a width of the second support frame 32 may be defined between the second right side 326 and the second left side 327.
Referring to
Referring to
In an embodiment, the base support assembly 20 further comprises an operation cavity 24 defined between the top plate 22 and the bottom plate 23 and pairs of side plates 25 mounted within the operation cavity 24, wherein each of the pairs of side plates 25 may be vertically arranged and directly mounted on the top plate 22 and the bottom plate 23. Here, each pair of the side plates 25 define an operation slot 251 which may be aligned with the elongated side slot 231 formed on the bottom plate 23. During a rotation of the legs 21, each one of a part of the legs 21 (e.g., only partial leg) may be slidable and rotatable within the operation slot 251 and be passed through the elongated side slot 231 for parallelly aligning with each other.
In another embodiment, the narrow portion 312B of the first bottom end 312 of the first support frame 31 may be inserted into the elongated slot 221 of the top plate 22 to support the upright support frame 30 on the base support assembly 20, wherein the broad portion 312A of the first support frame 31 may be biased against the top plate 22 so as to lock the first bottom end 312 of the first support frame 31 on the base support assembly 20, as shown with the details of
In an embodiment, the elongated slot 221 may be formed at a center of the top plate 22 to enhance the upright support frame 30 being stably support on a ground surface 100 (as shown the details of
Referring to
It is noted that the top plate 22 of the base support assembly 20 consists of the elongated slot 221. For example, during the rotation of the legs 21, the legs 21 may be biased against the top plate 22 to prohibit the legs being upwardly rotated, as shown further detail in
In an embodiment, each of the legs 21 may be pivotably connected with one pair of the side plates 25 at a pivot, wherein each of the pivots formed by one of the legs 21 and the pair of the side plate 25 is at the same level of another one of the pivots.
Referring to
In an embodiment, the proximal end 331 of the third support frame 33 may be slidable within the mounting slot 42, wherein the protrusion 3311 of the proximal end 331 may be slid into the elongated opening 411A and be biased against an inner opening edge 4111A of the elongated opening 411A. It is noted that, for example, when the target plate 40 is suspended or hanged on the third support frame 33, the protrusion 3311 of the third support frame 33 may be biased against the inner opening edge 4111A of the elongated opening 411A by a gravity of the target plate 40; therefore, the target plate 40 may be locked on the third support frame 33.
In another embodiment, referring to
In still another embodiment, referring to
In still another embodiment, the third support frame 33 may be rotatably operated with the top retaining members 34 and within the top retaining slot 341, wherein the pair of the top retaining member 34 may be affixed on the second top end 323 of the second support frame 32.
Referring to
Referring to
In an embodiment, in the unfolded position, as shown details of
In another embodiment, as shown in
In another embodiment, in order to support the target board 43 being in uses and suspended on the third support frame 33, the base support assembly 20 must be at the expanded position and the first support frame 31 must be at the unfolded position, as shown in
In still another embodiment, in the folded position, continuing to
Referring to
In an embodiment, referring to
Referring to
In an embodiment, the bottom retaining member 55 may be pivotally connected with the first support frame 31 and the second support frame 32 via two separated pivots 551. Here, the bottom retaining member 55 may be formed in pair, and the pair of bottom retaining members 55 may be pivotally connected with the first support frame 31 and the second support frame 32 via two separated pivots 551, wherein the first top end 313 of the first support frame 31 and the second bottom end 322 of the second support frame 32 may be rotatable between the pair of the bottom retaining members 55.
In another embodiment, in the folded position, the bottom retaining members 55 may be vertically arranged with respect to the first support frame 31 and the second support frame 32, as shown in
Continuing to
In an embodiment, the lever 53 of the lock assembly 50 may be upwardly flipped and moved towards the receiving slot 51, wherein the U-shaped locking member 52 linked with the lever 53 may be moved away and released from the receiving slot 51. In this way, the first support frame 31 may be folded to be coincident with the second support frame 32 in order to perform the folded position.
According to all of the embodiments described above, referring to further details of
Referring to
In an embodiment, the frame adaptor 60 comprises an elongated supporting arm 61, a locking connector 62 mounted on a bottom side of the supporting arm 61, and at least one supporting rod 63 detachably coupled on a top side of the supporting arm 61, wherein the bottom side of the supporting arm 61 is opposite of the top side of the supporting arm 61, and the top side of the supporting arm 61 comprises a plurality of locking holes 64 configured to engage with the supporting rods 63 for supporting the supporting rods 63 being vertically arranged with respect to the supporting arm 61. In an embodiment, each of the supporting rods 63 may be parallel alignment with another one of the supporting rods 63.
In an embodiment, the frame adaptor 60 further comprises a paper target board 65 supported on the plurality of the supporting rods 61. For example, the paper target board 65 may be supported on the frame adapter 60 for shooting purposes.
As shown in
According to all of the embodiments described above, the target board 43 may be a metal target board, and the paper target board 65 may be a paper cardboard.
According to all of the embodiments describes above, the contemplated collapsible target stand 10, including the base support assembly 20, the upright support frame 30, and the target plate 40, can be made of suitable bulletproof materials to have abrasion resistant and withstand repeated shots, such materials include AR500 steel and all reasonable combinations thereof.
It should be understood that the above-described material is exemplary and any other material can be adopted in various embodiments of this disclosure.
Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiment includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed herein even when not initially claimed in such combinations.
Thus, specific embodiments and applications of a collapsible target stand have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the disclosed concepts herein. The disclosed embodiments, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalent within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments. In addition, where the specification and claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring at least one element from the group which includes N, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
The words used in this specification to describe the various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.
The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims therefore include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
