PAPER ROLL RANGE TARGET DEVICES AND SYSTEMS

FIELD

The claimed technology relates generally to the field of firearms and more particularly targets and target systems for use with firearms.

BACKGROUND

The use of paper targets with firearms is well known, both for learning and maintaining shooting skills as well as for sighting in firearms and testing different ammunition loads. When sighting a firearm or testing ammunition loads information may be gathered from a target after firing a number of test rounds then examining the target. For handguns a typical firing range length is twenty five yards or less. Such ranges are typically equipped with a target retrieval system which allows a shooter to remotely retrieve a target without having to physically cross into the firing range. These systems allow one shooter to retrieve a target while other shooters continue to safely fire at their own targets.

Rifles and other long guns are typically used at much longer ranges than handguns which presents special problems for targets and target systems. A typical rifle range is from 100 to 300 yards or more. These distances make the use of automatic target retrieval systems impractical. Reliance on manual replacement of targets requires that all shooting at the range stop so that one or more people can safely go downrange to retrieve and change out the used targets. These forces stoppages are inconvenient to shooters, especially shooters who are sighting in a new firearm and therefore may only be firing one or two shots at a time between adjustments.

The greater distances typical of rifle and long gun ranges also necessitate the use of a second person as a spotter with a high powered telescopic device to inform the shooter where a shot struck the target. If another person is not available to act as a spotter then the shooter must use the spotting device which may mean having to move from the shooting position, which is both inconvenient as well as disruptive to achieving consistent positioning while firing. Accordingly there is a need for a target system which can provide accurate information about targeting results to a shooter as well as be replaced with a fresh target remotely.

SUMMARY

In one aspect a target shooting system includes a frame, a playout roller rotatably supported by the frame, a takeup roller rotatably supported by the frame in spaced relation to the playout roller, and a motor unit structured to apply a torque to the takeup roller. A rotation resistor structured to apply a counter-torque to the playout roller to maintain tautness of a target roll attached to each of the playout roller and the takeup roller is also provided. The rotation resistor may be a clutch, and further may be a friction-style clutch. The playout roller may be rotatable about an upper axis, and the takeup roller may be rotatable about a lower axis oriented parallel to the upper axis. The target shooting system may further include an upper deflector shielding the playout roller and a lower deflector shielding the takeup roller from stray projectiles. A shooting window is defined vertically between the playout roller and the takeup roller. A target roll attached to each of the playout roller and the takeup roller and positioned in the shooting window may also be provided. A fore-to-aft direction is defined orthogonally to the shooting window, and each of the upper deflector and the lower deflector includes an armored surface angled vertically downward and backward relative to the fore-to-aft direction in some examples. In other examples a target roll includes a plurality of targets thereon arranged successfully between a target roll first end attached to the takeup roller and a target roll second end attached to the playout roller. These target rolls may include a plurality of positioning indicia each associated with one of the plurality of targets. An optical scanning device structured to detect the plurality of positioning indicia may also be used, and a motor control unit coupled to the optical scanning device and in control communication with the motor, and wherein the motor control unit is structured to control rotation of the takeup roller via the motor based on detection of the plurality of positioning indicia.

In another aspect a target shooting system having a frame with an upper housing, a lower housing, and a shooting window disposed between the upper housing and lower housing is provided, where the lower housing has a takeup roller and a motor unit structured to apply a torque to the takeup roller, and the upper housing has a playout roller and a rotation resistor operationally connected to apply a counter-torque to the playout roller, wherein the counter-torque is applied to the playout roller to maintain the tautness of a target roll attached to each of the playout roller and the takeup roller. The rotation resistor may be a frictional clutch or a spiral spring. The playout roller is rotatable about an upper axis, and the takeup roller is rotatable about a lower axis oriented parallel to the upper axis. The target shooting system may further include an upper deflector shielding the playout roller and a lower deflector shielding the takeup roller. The motor unit further optionally includes a wireless receiver for receiving instructions to activate the motor unit from a wireless device. The target shooting system may further include a leveling device capable of indicating if the frame of the shooting system is level and plumb as well as a wireless communication device for communicating if the system is level and plumb. The system may further include an optical scanning device structured to generate an image of the target roll disposed within the shooting window and communicating that image to a wireless device. The optical scanning device may also be structured to detect positioning indicia printed on the target roll. A motor control unit may be coupled to the optical scanning device and in control communication with the motor, and wherein the motor control unit is structured to control rotation of the takeup roller via the motor based on detection of the plurality of positioning indicia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one example of the disclosed target system;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the target system of FIG. 1 without a paper target;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the target system of FIG. 1 protective cowling removed;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the lower housing of the target system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the lower housing of the target system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the lower housing of the target system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the upper housing of the target system of FIG. 1

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the upper housing of the target system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the lower housing of another example of the disclosed target system;

FIG. 10 is a side view of still another example of the disclosed target system;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the target system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an example of paper target styles usable with the disclosed target systems;

FIG. 13 is an example of a firing range using the disclosed target systems;

FIG. 14 is another example of an upper housing according to an alternative embodiment of the disclosed target system;

FIG. 15 is a front view of another example of the disclosed target system;

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of the disclosed target system of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is another partial perspective view of the disclosed target system of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a takeup roll assembly according to one example of the disclosed target system;

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of a playout roll assembly according to one example of the disclosed target system;

FIG. 20 is a side view of a lower housing according to one example of the disclosed target system; and

FIG. 21 is another view of a target system showing additional features of the target paper.

DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the claimed technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the claimed technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the claimed technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the claimed technology relates.

Referring now to FIG. 1-3 a target assembly 30 according to one

embodiment of the disclosed target system is shown. In this particular example, the target assembly 30 includes an upper housing 34 and a lower housing 36 connected by at least one frame support member 42, 44. The frame support members 42, 44 are connected to the upper housing 34 by upper housing brackets 50, 52 and to the lower housing 36 by lower housing brackets 46, 48. The frame support members may be made from any suitable material such as metal, wood, plastic, composites, combinations thereof, and the like. The frame further includes at least one support mounting unit 54 for mounting the target assembly to a suitable mounting apparatus such as legs, a post, rail, and the like. The area between the upper housing 34 and lower housing 36 defines a target shooting window 84 in which is disposed an individual target 32 printed on a larger paper target roll which will be discussed in greater detail below.

The upper housing 34 includes a frame 66 covered by a removable protective cowling 68 mounted to at least one cowling attachment member 82 and designed to keep pests such as rodents, birds, and the like out of the housing. The upper housing 34 further includes an upper deflector shielding 38 configured so as to face a shooter using the target system. The upper deflector shielding 38 is disposed at an angle relative to vertical so as to deflect downward any projectile which strikes the deflector shielding. The upper deflector shielding 38 may be made from any suitable material such as metal, carbon fiber, composites, and the like. In other examples, the upper deflector shielding 38 may be angled upwards rather than downwards. In still other examples, the upper deflector shielding 38 may include two portions disposed at different angles relative to one another, for example, with one portion angled upwards and the other angled downwards. Optionally, the upper housing 34 further includes a ballistic buffer 60 disposed within the housing such that any projectile which penetrated the upper deflector shielding 38 would strike the ballistic buffer 60. The ballistic buffer 60 may be made from any suitable material such as metal, plastic, paper, sand, water, composites, and combinations thereof. The ballistic buffer 60 provides additional protection to other components disposed within the upper housing 34 should the upper deflector shielding 38 fail and allow a projectile to pass through. In this example, shielded, armored, or otherwise protected elements are disposed in the fore direction facing the shooter whereas unarmored and/or less protected elements face the rear/aft of the target assembly away from the shooter.

The upper housing 34 further contains at least one playout roller 76, 78 sized and configured to hold the unused portion of a paper target roll which will be discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 4-8. The at least one playout rollers 76, 78 are configured such that paper target feeding off the rollers pass through an upper feed slot 88 (visible in FIG. 7) in the cowling 68 and into the shooting window 84. Optionally, the upper housing 34 may also include a leveling device 86 mounted thereto or therein so as to ensure that the target assembly 30 is both plum (vertically) and level (horizontally). The leveling device may be as simple as one or more spirit levels attached to the housing or may be more advanced electronic leveling devices. Optionally the leveling device may include wireless and/or wired communication capabilities so as to be able to alert a user that the target assembly 30 is no longer plumb and/or level during use. For example, if a user strikes the upper housing 34 with a shot the leveling device may alert the shooter that the target assembly was no longer plum and required adjustment before continuing.

The lower housing 36 includes a frame 64 covered by a removable protective cowling 74 mounted to at least one cowling attachment member 80 and designed to keep pests such as rodents, birds, insects, and the like out of the housing. The lower housing 36 further includes a lower deflector shielding 40 configured so as to face a shooter using the target assembly system. The lower deflector shielding 40 is disposed at an angle relative to vertical so as to deflect downward any projectile which strikes the deflector shielding. The lower deflector shielding 40 may be made from any suitable material such as metal, carbon fiber, composites, and the like. In other examples, the lower deflector shielding 40 may be angled upwards rather than downwards. In still other examples, the lower deflector shielding 40 may include two portions disposed at different angles relative to one another, for example, with one portion angled upwards and the other angled downwards. Optionally, the lower housing 36 further includes a ballistic buffer 62 disposed within the housing such that any projectile which penetrated the lower deflector shielding 40 would strike the ballistic buffer 62. The ballistic buffer 62 may be made from any suitable material such as metal, plastic, paper, water, sand, composites, and combinations thereof. The ballistic buffer 62 provides additional protection to other components disposed within the lower housing 36 should the lower deflector shielding 40 fail and allow a projectile to pass through.

The lower housing 36 further contains at least one takeup roller 70, 72 sized and configured to hold the used portion of a paper target roll which will be discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 4-8. The at least one takeup rollers 70, 72 are configured such that used paper target feeding from the target window 84 and onto the rollers pass through a lower feed slot 58 in the cowling 74 before being wound onto the takeup rollers. Optionally, the upper housing feed slot 88 and the lower housing feed slot 58 may include a gasket or other barrier which allows paper from the paper roll to pass therethrough but prevents water and/or pests from entering the housings. This particular example is configured such that the upper housing 34 holds the unused portion of a target roll and the lower housing 36 the used portion of the target roll. It is to be understood that in other examples the upper housing may be configured to hold the used portion of the target roll and the lower housing the unused portion.

Optionally, the lower housing 36 may also include a leveling device 86 mounted thereto or therein so as to ensure that the target assembly 30 is both plum (vertically) and level (horizontally). The leveling device may be as simple as one or more spirit levels attached to the housing or may be more advanced electronic leveling devices. Optionally the leveling device may include wireless and/or wired communication capabilities so as to be able to alert a user that the target assembly 30 is no longer plum and/or level during use. For example, if a user strikes the lower housing 36 with a shot the leveling device may alert the shooter that the target assembly was no longer plum and required adjustment before continuing.

In some examples the modular nature of the target assembly allows one or more of the major components (e.g., frame support members, deflector shielding members, ballistic buffers) and/or subassemblies (e.g., upper and lower housings) to be removed and replaced if damaged. For example, if a frame support member is struck with several shots it may become bent which could inhibit proper function of the target paper roll. Modularity of the target assembly allows for easy removal of the damaged support and replacement with a new support. Optionally, some of the major components and/or subassemblies may be configured so as to allow for removal/replacement using minimal or no tools.

As seen in FIG. 4-8, a roll 96 of unused paper target material is loaded onto the playout rollers 76, 78 so as to rotate about a playout axis 106. The unused paper target is fed through the upper housing feed slot 88 and drawn downward towards the lower housing 36 such that the target material 32 is disposed within the shooting window 84. The paper target material is then fed through the lower housing feed slot 58 and wound onto the takeup rollers 70, 72 such that it winds about the takeup axis 94, the takeup axis 94 being parallel to the playout axis 106. Rotational force is provided to the takeup rollers 70, 72 by a motor unit 56 which is operationally connected to the takeup rollers 70, 72 by a drive shaft 92. In an embodiment, the motor unit 56 may be positioned inside of or behind the shielding so as to position the motor unit 56 out of the path of errant rounds. Optionally, one or more gears (not shown) are provided between the motor unit 56 and the drive shaft 92 so as to increase or decrease the torque applied to the drive shaft 92 by the motor unit 56 as desired. The motor unit 56 may include one or more electric motors, a power source (such as a battery), a wireless communication device/receiver (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, and the like) and/or a wired communication device, as well as at least one processor and optional memory unit capable of receiving remote commands or other information, controlling the one or more electric motors in response to those commands, and transmitting information to one or more receiving devices.

At least one of the playout rollers 76, 78 includes a rotation resistor 98 configured so as to provide counter-torque to the playout rollers 76, 78. The magnitude of the counter-torque provided may vary as desired, but should be sufficient so as to provide enough tension to the paper target 32 in the target window 84 such that the paper target 32 remains straight and taught. Examples of a rotation resistor include, but are not limited to, a frictional clutch, spiral/torsional springs, a magnetic clutch, an electric motor, and other suitable devices. In some examples, the rotation resistor is capable of locking the playout roll in position so as to prevent any rotation until it is released. Optionally, one or both of the takeup rollers 70, 72 includes a feature so as to prevent the takeup roll from rotating backwards such as a clutch, ratchet/pawl, and the like. Such a feature may also include a release mechanism which would allow the takeup roll to be manually rotated in reverse (that is, to allow paper target roll to be unrolled from the takeup roll rather than rolled onto it).

FIG. 9 shows a lower housing 100 of another target assembly having an optical device 102 disposed through the lower cowling 104 such that the optical device 102 is directed towards the shooting window 108. The optical device may include a digital camera, a lens operationally connected to a digital device, or a fiberoptic member operationally connected to a lens and/or a digital device. The optical device is positioned such that it may scan and produce an image of a paper target (not shown) disposed within the shooting window 108. This image may be collected and stored in the memory/processor of the motor device, collected and stored by a separate memory/processor within the target assembly, and/or transmitted to a remote device such as a tablet, computer, cellular phone, and the like. The use of an optical device in this example allows a user to view where a shot hit the paper target without relying on a second person to act as a spotter or without having to leave the shooting position to use a secondary spotting device. Similar optical devices may be mounted to the upper housing of a target assembly and/or to both the upper and lower housings, as desired. In still other examples an optical device may be mounted remotely from the target assembly, either generally in front of or behind, the target assembly. A remotely deployed optical device would be close enough so as to be capable of generating an image of a target in the shooting window and capable of relaying images to a user, either directly using a wireless communication system (Wi-Fi, cellular network, and the like) or via the existing communication apparatus of the target assembly (which it is capable of interacting with either by wireless or wired connection).

FIG. 10-11 is an example of a target assembly 110 according to another embodiment. In this example, the target assembly 110 has an upper deflector member 120 and a lower deflector member 122 connected by support members 112, 114. An upper housing 116 is disposed in the upper deflector member 120 and secured by a securing member 128. A lower housing 118 is disposed in the lower deflector member 122 and secured by a securing member 126. In this example, the housings and deflector members are separate units so as to allow for easier removal, repair, and/or replacement of a housing unit and/or a deflector member.

The upper housing 116 in this example includes at least one takeup roller 134, 136 which is operationally connected to a motor unit 124, the contents and operation of which is similar to that previously described. In this example, the used target roll material is pulled upwards into the upper housing 116 from the target shooting window 142 by operation of the motor unit 124 and takeup rolls 134, 136. Fresh, unused target paper roll is stored in the lower housing unit mounted to the playout rollers 138, 140 and dispensed upward into the target shooting window 142 by operation of the motor unit 124. At least one of the playout rollers 138, 140 further includes a torque resistor to provide counter-rotational force to keep the paper target taught similar to the torque resistor previously described. Operation of the target assembly shown in FIG. 10-11 is similar to that previously described with respect to FIG. 1-8 except fresh target paper in this example is drown upwards from the lower housing to the upper housing.

The target assembly 110 in this example further includes antenna devices 130, for receipt and/or transmission of wireless signals, mounted to articulable arms 131, 133.

FIG. 12 shows examples of target papers usable with the target assemblies described herein. Traditional sighting target prints 114, silhouette targets (either of humans or animals) as well as targets having other printed designs may be used. Such paper targets are typically twenty-four inches wide although wider or narrower targets may be used. The height of the individual target images may vary as desired and in some embodiments the vertical dimension of the shooting window may be adjusted by moving the upper and lower housings closer together/farther apart. Target rolls typically may contain multiple targets on a roll that is several feet in length (100 feet or more). Optionally, some target rolls may include positioning indicia (visual, tactile, voids in the paper, and combinations thereof) in addition to targets. As previously described, once one or more shots have been taken at a particular section of a target roll a command may be issued so as to cause the target assembly to advance the target roll until a fresh section (i.e.—unused target) is displayed.

In one example as shown in FIG. 20 the target rolls 402 may include indicia which the target system may detect to indicate when the roll 402 has been advanced by one target such as a visual mark and/or a hole or notch 410 in the paper of the target. In the case of a visual mark, the camera (previously described) may be used by system software to detect the visual mark and stop the roll once it has advanced by a single target. In the case of a notch or hole 410 in the paper roll 402, a light source 408 may be disposed on one side of the paper 404 and a light sensor 406 on the opposite side. After an advance command has been issued when light from the light source 404 passes through the opening 410 in the paper 404 and strikes the light sensor 406 a command is issued to stop the paper roll 402 advancing further. In this particular example the light source and sensor are disposed within the lower housing 400. In other examples, the light source and sensor may be disposed in the upper housing, or outside the housings at another convenient location on the target system assembly. Optionally, the target rolls may include indicia indicating unused targets remaining and/or that the end of a roll is approaching. In other examples, the end of a roll and/or start of a roll may include and adhesive section which allows a user to attach the end of a used roll to the start of a new roll so the new roll may be more easily threaded through a target system by pulling on/advancing the old roll.

FIG. 21 shows a target system 500 illustrating example features of a target roll 502. Target roll 502 includes printed or otherwise applied thereon a plurality of target images 504 and may be formed of materials and in a manner analogous to other embodiments discussed and otherwise contemplated herein. Target images 504 are sized and arranged such that a plurality of target images are simultaneously visible to a user within a shooting window 514 defined by a frame 518 of target system 500. A plurality of holes 506 or other scannable indicia are spaced along and adjacent to a first edge 512 of target roll 502 opposite to a second edge 514. It can be noted that holes 506 are arranged to coincide vertically with individual ones of target images 514. Put differently, holes 506 are aligned generally so as to be intersected by a horizontal centerline 520 of each target image 504 in the illustrated example. It can also be noted that holes 506 are distributed only along one of the two edges of target roll 502, and given that holes 506 are only for scanning/indexing purposes they may not be contacted or penetrated by mechanical apparatus involved in the advancement and/or feeding of target roll 502. A scanner 508, similar to that shown and described in connection with FIG. 20, is within or upon frame 518.

The arrangement of holes 506 relative to target images 504 enables indexed advancement of target roll 502 to ensure some or all of target images 504 positioned within shooting window 514 are fresh for use once a grouping of target images becomes spent by shooting them. In an embodiment, a total number of holes 506 in target roll 502 may be a factor of the total number of target images 504 and/or a total number of target image sets. For example, target roll 502 might include 100 sets of two side-by-side target images thereon, and 100 holes, 50 holes, 20 holes. Each of holes 506 might coincide with one target image or two side-by-side target images, or holes 506 might be arranged to coincide with every other one of the target images or side-by-side target image sets, for example. Thus, the number and arrangement of holes 506 or other scannable indicia is functionally related to the number and arrangement of target images 504 in at least some embodiments. It should nevertheless be appreciated that different indexing strategies are within the scope of the present disclosure as discussed herein. Moreover, any given target roll might have different sizes, arrangements, and/or types of target images, with a number and arrangement of holes or other scannable indicia varied along the length of the target roll to provide desired indexing.

Characteristics of the paper used in the target paper rolls described herein may vary according to application. The weight of the paper using in such target rolls will typically be from 1.5-270 gsm (grams per square meter) and/or from 10-100 pounds weight. Optionally the paper may be treated with a waterproof/resistant coating such as wax on one or both sides and/or on the edges to prevent/slow the target roll deteriorating when exposed to moisture as well as providing additional stiffness to the paper to inhibit twisting/deformation of the target from wind. So-called poly coated kraft paper provides a practical implementation. Such coatings may also include UV protection to prevent/slow deterioration of the roll from prolonged exposure to sunlight.

FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of a target system. In this particular example, an upper housing 200 containing a playout roller 202 upon which is mounted an unused target roll 204 is shown. Although this example is shown using an upper housing the same system could also be used in a lower housing which held a playout roller as previously described. Target paper 206 is fed off the unused target roll 204 and through the upper housing feed slot into the target window. Tension is applied to the target paper 206 by a tensioning roller 214 (or tensioning bar) which is mounted to a tensioning support 216 (shown as an arm in this example) which is mounted to the upper housing interior surface 212. In this example, the tensioning support 216 is mounted to the upper surface of the upper housing interior 212. In other examples the tensioning support 216 is mounted to a different interior surface of the upper housing, including the inner surface of the upper deflector member 208. In still other examples, the tensioning support is mounted to the playout roller itself. Tension is provided to the tensioning support 216 by a tensioning member 218. In this example, the tensioning member 218 is a spring. In other examples the tensioning member might be one or more magnets, pneumatic cylinders, springs, and the like. The tensioning member 218 is sized and configured so as to urge the tensioning roller 214 into the target paper 206 so as to keep the target paper 206 taught when it is in the shooting window. In this embodiment the playout roller does not require a rotation resistor device as the tensioning roller acts to keep the target paper taught. In still other embodiments, a rotation resistor and a tensioning roller may both be used.

FIG. 13 shows one example of a target shooting area which uses a target assembly 154 according to one embodiment disclosed herein. In this example, a safe target area 150 is selected (that is, having a sufficient backstop and a safe area downrange). Up range at a desired distance from the target area 150 a shooting position 148 is prepared. A target assembly like those described herein is deployed in the target area 150 by securing it to a suitable support base 164 (in this example, to legs mounted to a flat base). The target assembly 154 is leveled and plumbed so that a target disposed in the shooting window is straight and taught with respect to a shooter at the shooting position 148. The target assembly 154 is then powered by an internal battery or electrically attached to an outside power source 158 by a cable 160. Any suitable outside power source may be used such as an existing power grid, a portable generator, solar panels, and the like. Optionally, the power source such as a solar panel may be mounted directly to the target assembly 154. The shooter then uses a wireless device 152 such as a phone, tablet, or PC to connect remotely to the control unit 156 of the target assembly 154 using a wireless network 162. The wireless network 162 may be an existing cellular network, a local wireless network such as a Wi-Fi network, or both. Once connected the shooter may then issue commands to the target assembly 154 using the wireless device 152 such as instructing it to advance the target roll to display a fresh target. The wireless device 152 may also be used to view images produced by any optical devices which may be equipped on or in proximity to the target assembly 154. Such an arrangement allows a shooter to take a shot, view the results, adjust the sights on a firearm in response to the results, then take a follow up shot all without having to leave the shooting position or using a separate spotting device. The shooter may then advance to a clean target to take further shots without having to walk downrange or leave the shooting position. Advancing the target roll to a clean target could be automated, using detection of the printed target or other indicia on the target roll via an optical or other scanning device, or via user control. For instance, a user could view the target in real time on a mobile device and utilize an advance button on the screen of their mobile device to advance the target roll using the motor to a desired position. Additionally, the shooter may be alerted if an electronic leveling device on the target assembly 154 detects the assembly has gone out of level/plumb. Such an arrangement using one of the target assemblies described herein allows for more efficient use of range time, especially at ranges having multiple targets and shooters as an individual shooter does not have to wait until all shooters have ceased and showed their firearms before going down range to change targets.

FIG. 18 shows one example of a takeup roll assembly 300 suitable for use with the target systems disclosed herein. In this example the takeup roll assembly includes a takeup roll body 302 (shown here as empty), having end caps 308, 310 configured for removably mounting to the target system's takeup roll mounting spindles 312, 314. The mounting spindles 312, 314 each include a sidewall 311 with a diameter at least as great as that of a takeup roll body full of used target paper to prevent the roll from filling unevenly. Optionally one of both takeup roll mounting spindles 312, 314 have a side 313 having ridges or protrusions which may act as a ratcheting feature in conjunction with a pawl or pin (not shown) so as to prevent the takeup roll body 302 from rotating backwards (that is, in a direction which allows used target paper to be unwound from the takeup roll body). The takeup roll mounting spindles 312, 314 are mounted to respective axels 317 which are rotatably mounted within the sidewalls 304, 306 of the lower housing body of the target system. On one end of the sidewalls 306 of the lower housing is a compressible member 318 (shown as a spring) and a guide collar 316 operationally connected to a takeup roll mounting spindle 314. The compressible member 318 and guide collar 316 are configured such that the takeup roll body 302 may be grasped and shifted towards the takeup roll mounting spindle 314 thereby compressing the spring 318 and allowing the takeup roll body 302 and takeup roll mounting spindle 314 to move towards one sidewall 306 and away from the other sidewall 304 which disengages the opposite takeup roll mounting spindle 312 from the end cap 310 thereby allowing the takeup roll body 302 to be easily removed from the lower housing once full and replaced with an empty takeup roll. Optionally, the replacement takeup roll may be an empty playout roll.

FIG. 19 shows one example of a playout roll assembly 320 suitable for use with the target systems disclosed herein. In this example the playout roll assembly 320 includes a playout roll body 322 (shown here as full), having end caps 324, 326 configured for removably mounting to the target system's playout roll mounting spindles 327, 333. The playout roll mounting spindles 327, 333 are mounted to respective axels 329, 331 which are rotatably mounted within the sidewalls 328, 330 of the upper housing body of the target system. On one end of the sidewalls 330 of the upper housing is a compressible member 334 (shown as a spring) and a guide collar 332 operationally adjacent to a playout roll mounting spindle 333. The compressible member 334 and guide collar 332 are configured such that the playout roll body 322 may be grasped and shifted towards the playout roll mounting spindle 333 thereby compressing the spring 334 and allowing the playout roll body 322 and playout roll mounting spindle 333 to move towards one sidewall 330 and away from the other sidewall 328 which disengages the opposite playout roll mounting spindle 327 from the end cap 324 thereby allowing the playout roll body 322 to be easily removed from the upper housing once empty and replaced with a full playout roll.

FIG. 15-17 show another example of the disclosed targeting system. In this example, the target assembly 200 includes an upper housing having a protective shielding and a lower housing 206 having a deflective shielding 208. The upper housing 202 and lower housing 206 are connected by at least one frame support member 210. A paper target 212 roll is disposed in the upper housing 202, played out through a target area 214 between the upper housing 202 and the lower housing 206, and taken up on an uptake roll disposed in the lower housing 206 similar to the example described and shown in FIG. 1. Optionally, the targeting assembly 200 may further include one or more leveling members 196 configured to allow the targeting assembly to be leveled when placed on a mounting surface such as a stand. Alternatively, the targeting assembly 200 may include one or more anchoring members 198 which may be driven into a surface to secure the targeting assembly.

The targeting assembly 200 in this particular example further includes an imaging assembly 236 which includes a camera 224 capable of taking still images and/or video. The camera may be mounted to an adjustable base 226 which is attached to a mounting arm 228. The adjustable base 226 may be manually operated (such as an articulatable arm having a locking screw or pin) or remotely/electronically adjustable (such as by one or more servo motors or other mechanism). The mounting arm is attached to a mounting bracket 230 located on the targeting assembly 200. In this particular example, the mounting bracket 228 is disposed on the lower deflector 208 such that the mounting arm 228 holds the camera 224 in front of the targeting assembly 200 (that is, so that the camera is located between a shooter and the targeting assembly). In other examples, the mounting bracket is disposed on other parts of the targeting assembly (e.g., a frame support member, the upper housing, the lower housing, the upper deflector). In still other examples the mounting bracket is disposed such that the mounting arm holds the camera in behind the targeting assembly (that is, so that the targeting assembly is located between a shooter and the camera). In further examples more than one mounting bracket is disposed on the targeting assembly such that a user may change where the camera is located. The imaging assembly 236 further includes a protective plate 222 disposed on the mounting arm 228 such that the protective plate 222 is between a shooter and the camera 224. The protective plate 222 may be made of steel, ceramic, polycarbonate, or other suitable materials as well as combinations thereof. Different grades of protective plates may be used depending on the caliber of ammunition being used.

This example targeting assembly 200 further includes a wireless antenna assembly 248 as well as a wired antenna assembly 240 which includes a wireless antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data. Any suitable wireless transmission protocol may be used such as cellular networks, wireless protocols based on the IEEE 802.11 standards (Wi-Fi), or other suitable local area network (LAN) and/or wide area network (WAN) protocols. The wireless antenna assembly 238 is shown connected to a mounting arm 242 which is mounted to an adjustable mounting bracket 244. The adjustable mounting bracket 244 allows the assembly to be adjusted so that the wireless antenna 238 is positioned as desired. In this example, the mounting bracket is shown disposed on the upper deflector 204. In other examples, the adjustable mounting bracket may be mounted to other locations on a targeting assembly such as the frame support members, the upper housing, the lower housing, and/or the lower deflector. The wireless antenna assembly 248 further includes a protective plate 246 mounted to the assembly such that the protective plate 246 is disposed between a shooter and the wireless antenna 238. The protective plate 246 may be made of steel, ceramic, polycarbonate, or other suitable materials as well as combinations thereof. Different grades of protective plates may be used depending on the caliber of ammunition being used. The wired antenna assembly 240 includes an antenna 252, a mounting base 250 for attaching the antenna 252 to the target assembly 200, and a wired connection 234 which operationally connects the antenna 252 to a control unit 232.

The wireless and wired antenna assemblies may be used for different control and functionality aspects of the target system. In one example, the wireless antenna assembly transmits and receives data (images, video, and/or control commands) to and from a camera unit whereas the wired antenna assembly may be used to transmit and receive data (commands, status information, and the like) to and from a control unit which controls operation of the target roll mechanism (e.g., advance a target, remaining number of targets, and the like) such as previously described. In other examples, one of the wireless and wired antenna assemblies may be omitted and the target assembly functionality and/or camera functionality may be controlled entirely from one antenna assembly. In still other examples, both antenna assemblies may be omitted and the target assembly hard wired into a data system or network (such as at an indoor shooting range).

A control unit 232 is mounted external to the lower housing 206. In other examples, a control unit may be mounted to the upper housing and/or behind the target assembly to either the upper housing or the lower housing (that is, with the target assembly between a shooter and the control unit). In still other examples the control unit may be disposed within either the upper housing or lower housing. In further examples the control unit may be separate from the target assembly such as on the ground or on a separate structure, and operationally connected (either wired or wirelessly) to the target assembly. The control unit includes one or more of a CPU, memory, storage, transmitter(s) and receiver(s) for the communication of data such as Bluetooth®, cellular networks, wireless protocols based on the IEEE 802.11 standards (Wi-Fi), or other suitable local area network (LAN) and/or wide area network (WAN) protocols, and a power source (battery, solar, and the like) and/or a connection to an external power source). The control unit is typically operationally connected to the motor unit which advances the target roll as well as to the camera for receiving, storing, and/or transmitting images generated by the camera. In one example, video/images may be transmitted from the control unit using a wireless antenna whereas control instructions (e.g., to advance the target roll, to move the camera, etc.) received via a wired antenna such as shown in FIG. 15. In other examples a single antenna is used to both transmit and receive information.

The control unit may be operationally connected to and/or controlled by a remote unit 254. The remote unit is typically capable of connecting to the control unit via a wireless and/or wired antenna or via a hard wired connection (if used). In one example the remote unit is a device capable of transmitting and receiving images/video and/or of issuing command instructions to the control unit. Optionally, the control unit may be a phone, tablet, smartwatch, computer, or similar device configured to communicate with the control unit using a wireless connection. In other examples, the control unit may transmit images from the camera to video-only devices such as monitors or television screens such that observers can view images of the target in real time. In still other examples, the control unit is capable of recording and storing images and/or video for later transmission and viewing.

While the claimed technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the claimed technology are desired to be protected.

PAPER ROLL RANGE TARGET DEVICES AND SYSTEMS

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Provisional Applications (1)