SELF-HEALING TARGETS, METHODS OF MANUFACTURING SELF-HEALING TARGETS, AND METHODS OF UTILIZING SELF-HEALING TARGETS

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to self-healing targets, to methods of manufacturing self-healing targets, and to methods of utilizing self-healing targets.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Targets commonly are utilized in the shooting sports industries. Shooting competitions generally utilize paper and/or cardboard targets. While cheap and effective under certain conditions, such targets are subject to water damage and are not readily re-used. Stated differently, general practice is to replace paper and/or cardboard targets after a few, to a few dozen, projectiles have been shot through the targets. Metallic targets also are utilized. While more durable than paper and/or cardboard targets, metallic targets are significantly more expensive, may not be safe to shoot at close range, and do not give a precise indication of a location of individual projectile strikes. Thus, there exists a need for improved targets, methods of manufacturing targets, and methods of utilizing targets.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Self-healing targets, methods of manufacturing self-healing targets, and methods of utilizing self-healing targets are disclosed herein. The self-healing targets include a target body and a target zone. The target body is defined by a sheet of resilient polymeric body material and defines a front surface, which is configured to face toward a shooter, and a back surface, which is configured to face away from the shooter. The target zone is on the front surface of the target body and is at least partially defined by a surface feature that is defined within the target body to provide a visual indication of the target zone to the shooter.

The methods of utilizing include impacting the front surface of the target with a projectile to form a splatter mark on the front surface of the target. These methods also include rejuvenating the target by coating at least the splatter mark with a coating material to cover the splatter mark with the coating material.

The methods of manufacturing include forming a target body from a resilient polymeric material and such that the target body defines a sheet of the resilient polymeric material that includes a front surface, which is configured to face toward a shooter, a back surface, which is configured to face away from the shooter, and an outer perimeter, which is defined around an exterior periphery of the front surface. These methods also include forming a surface feature within the target body such that the surface feature defines a target zone on the front surface of the target body and provides a visual indication of the target zone to the shooter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view illustrating examples of self-healing targets according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of examples of a cross-sectional view of the self-healing target of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another schematic illustration of examples of a cross-sectional view of the self-healing target of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is another schematic illustration of examples of a cross-sectional view of the self-healing target of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another schematic illustration of examples of a cross-sectional view of the self-healing target of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is another schematic illustration of examples of a cross-sectional view of the self-healing target of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is another schematic illustration of examples of a cross-sectional view of the self-healing target of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a less schematic illustration of an example of a self-healing target according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of self-healing targets rolled into a tubular shape, according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is an example of a self-healing target that meets USPSA/IPSC specifications, according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is an example of a self-healing target that meets IDPA specifications, according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is an example of a self-healing target that meets Table 2 specifications, according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a stencil that may be included and/or utilized with self-healing targets, according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a less schematic illustration of a self-healing target according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart depicting examples of methods of manufacturing self-healing targets, according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart depicting examples of methods of utilizing self-healing targets, according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIGS. 1-16 provide examples of self-healing targets 10 and/or of methods 100/200, according to the present disclosure. Elements that serve a similar, or at least substantially similar, purpose are labeled with like numbers in each of FIGS. 1-16, and these elements may not be discussed in detail herein with reference to each of FIGS. 1-16. Similarly, all elements may not be labeled in each of FIGS. 1-16, but reference numerals associated therewith may be utilized herein for consistency. Elements, components, and/or features that are discussed herein with reference to one or more of FIGS. 1-16 may be included in and/or utilized with any of FIGS. 1-16 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In general, elements that are likely to be included in a particular embodiment are illustrated in solid lines, while elements that are optional are illustrated in dashed lines. However, elements that are shown in solid lines may not be essential to all embodiments and, in some embodiments, may be omitted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view illustrating examples of self-healing targets 10 according to the present disclosure, while FIGS. 2-7 are schematic illustrations of examples of the self-healing targets of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A of FIG. 1. FIGS. 8-14 are less schematic examples of self-healing targets 10 and/or of components and/or features of self-healing targets 10, according to the present disclosure.

Self-healing targets 10, which also may be referred to herein as targets 10, are configured to be impacted by a projectile, such as may be shot from a firearm by a shooter. As collectively illustrated by FIGS. 1-7, targets 10 include a target body 20 and a target zone 40. Target body 20 is defined by a sheet 24 of a resilient polymeric body material 26 and defines a front surface 32 and a back surface 36. Front surface 32 is configured to face toward the shooter, and back surface 36 is configured to face away from the shooter. Target zone 40 is on, formed on, defined on, and/or positioned on front surface 32 of target body 20 and is at least partially defined by a surface feature 42. Surface feature 42 is defined within and/or by target body 20 and is configured to provide a visual indication of, or of a position of, target zone 40, such as to the shooter.

As illustrated in dashed lines in FIGS. 1-7, targets 10 also may include a coating material 60, which may coat and/or cover at least a region of front surface 32 of target body 20. This may include coating and/or covering an entirety of the front surface, a substantial portion of the front surface, a majority of the front surface, and/or target zone 40. Coating material 60 may include and/or be any suitable coating material that may coat, may cover, and/or may adhere to target body 20 and/or to front surface 32 thereof. An example of coating material 60 includes a paint, such as may be applied by spraying, by brushing, and/or via an aerosol paint can.

As discussed in more detail herein, coating material 60 may have and/or define a coating material color, resilient polymeric body material 26 and/or front surface 32 may have and/or define a body material color, and the coating material color may differ from the body material color. As an example, the coating material color may contrast with the body material color. As another example, the coating material color may be brighter, or visually brighter, than the body material color. As yet another example, the coating material color may be darker, or visually darker, than the body material color. In a specific example, the body material color may be black and the coating material color may be white. However, this is not required, and it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the coating material color may include and/or be any suitable color, examples of which include red, green, blue, yellow, orange, and/or neon colors.

During operative use of targets 10, and as discussed in more detail herein with reference to methods 200 of FIG. 16, the shooter may aim the firearm at the target and may fire the firearm, thereby propelling the projectile toward the target and/or impacting the target with the projectile. Upon impact with the target, the projectile may pass through the target at an impact location 62, as illustrated in FIG. 1. This causes stretching and/or deformation of resilient polymeric body material 26 within and/or proximate impact location 62, thereby damaging coating material 60. This damage to coating material 60 produces a splatter effect 64 on front surface 32 of target body 20. Stated differently, the damage to the coating material causes breaks in the coating material and/or separation of the coating material from the target body within and/or proximate impact location 62. Because the coating material color of coating material 60 differs from and/or contrasts with the body material color of resilient polymeric body material 26, splatter effect 64 is visible to the shooter, thereby causing impact location 62 to be visible to the shooter over a significantly longer distance than otherwise would be possible on targets 10 that do not include coating material 60.

In addition, resilient polymeric body material 26 is selected to be self-healing, or at least partially self-healing. As such, target body 20 returns to its original, or at least substantially original, shape after the projectile passes therethrough. Stated differently, and after the projectile passes through resilient polymeric body material 26, any hole, opening, and/or aperture, which is formed within the resilient polymeric body material by passage of the projectile therethrough, may close, may at least partially close, and/or may at least substantially completely close. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner.

As an example, resilient polymeric body material 26 may be configured to deform, to resiliently deform, and/or to at least partially resiliently deform around the projectile as the projectile passes therethrough. As such, and subsequent to the projectile passing therethrough, the resilient polymeric body material may return to its original, or at least substantially original, shape. As another example, and subsequent to the projectile passing therethrough, heat of the projectile and/or heat generated by friction between the projectile and the resilient polymeric body material may facilitate and/or cause fusion of the resilient polymeric body material to itself, thereby causing the resilient polymeric body material to self-heal, or to at least partially self-heal. With the above in mind, self-healing targets 10 also may be referred to herein as and/or may be resilient targets 10, re-fusing targets 10, and/or targets 10 that automatically close holes generated when projectiles pass therethrough.

Thus, targets 10 generally may be shot by a significant number of projectiles before needing to be repaired and/or replaced. As an example, targets 10 have been tested to remain functional and/or not to exhibit visible damage sufficient to make the targets unusable after being shot many thousands of times. In a specific test, targets 10 have been shown to remain functional after being shot by over 110 rounds of 5.56×45 mm NATO ammunition per square inch of front surface 32. In another specific test, targets 10 have been shown to remain functional after being shot by over 70 rounds of 9 mm Luger ammunition per square inch of front surface 32.

In addition to the self-healing characteristics of resilient polymeric body material 26, front surface 32 of targets 10 readily may be rejuvenated, thereby removing, erasing, and/or decreasing the visibly detectable presence of impact location 62 and corresponding splatter effect 64. This rejuvenation is accomplished by coating front surface 32 with a new layer of coating material 60, such as by spray painting the front surface utilizing a can of aerosol spray paint. This rejuvenation readily may be accomplished at the shooting location and without removing, demounting, and/or otherwise moving targets 10, thereby providing increased shooting time when compared to conventional paper and/or cardboard targets that typically are demounted and replaced after being impacted by only a small number of projectiles. In addition, and because target zone 40 is defined by surface feature 42 of target body 20, the target zone still is visible after the front surface is coated with the coating material. Stated differently, the shooter need not paint and/or outline target zone 40 with a different color of coating material in order for the target zone to be visible to the shooter, further simplifying the rejuvenation process. However, and as discussed in more detail herein, the shooter may elect to apply more than one color coating material to the front surface of the target, if desired.

Target body 20 may include and/or be any suitable structure that may be defined by sheet 24 of resilient polymeric body material 26, that may define front surface 32, that may define back surface 36, and/or that may define surface feature 42 of target zone 40. As discussed, target body 20 is defined by sheet 24. Sheet 24 may be a thin sheet of resilient polymeric body material 26. As an example, back surface 36 may be a planar, or at least substantially planar, back surface 36. As another example, front surface 32 may be a planar, or at least substantially planar, front surface 32, at least in regions of the front surface that are external target zone 40 and/or that are spaced apart from surface feature 42. As yet another example, back surface 36 may be opposed to front surface 32 and/or may face away from front surface 32. As another example, at least a threshold surface area fraction of a front surface area of front surface 32 may extend parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to back surface 36.

Examples of the threshold surface area fraction include a fraction of front surface 32 that is defined by the regions of front surface 32 that are external target zone 40 and/or that are spaced apart from surface feature 42. More specific examples of the threshold surface area fraction include 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97.5%, or 99% of the front surface area of front surface 32.

Target body 20 may have and/or define a body thickness, or an average body thickness 22, such as is illustrated in FIGS. 2-7. Examples of the body thickness include thicknesses of at least 5 millimeters (mm), at least 6 mm, at least 7 mm, at least 8 mm, at least 9 mm, at least 10 mm, at least 12 mm, at least 14 mm, at least 16 mm, at least 18 mm, or at least 20 mm, at most 30 mm, at most 25 mm, at most 20 mm, at most 18 mm, at most 16 mm, at most 14 mm, at most 12 mm, and/or at most 10 mm. A more specific example of body thickness 22 is 12.7 mm or ½ inch.

Target body 20 additionally or alternatively may have and/or define a maximum dimension, such as may be measured on and/or along front surface 32 and/or back surface 36. Examples of the maximum dimension include dimensions of at least 10 centimeters (cm), at least 15 cm, at least 20 cm, at least 25 cm, at least 30 cm, at least 35 cm, at least 40 cm, at least 50 cm, at least 60 cm, at least 70 cm, at least 80 cm, at most 200 cm, at most 175 cm, at most 150 cm, at most 125 cm, at most 100 cm, at most 90 cm, at most 80 cm, at most 70 cm, at most 60 cm, and/or at most 50 cm.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, targets 10 may be configured to be resiliently and/or repeatedly rolled, or coiled, into a cylindrical, at least substantially cylindrical, tubular, and/or at least substantially tubular shape. Stated differently, targets 10 may be rolled into the cylindrical shape without damage to targets 10. Stated still differently, targets 10 may be configured to repeatedly transition between the cylindrical shape and a flat, an at least substantially flat, a planar, and/or an at least substantially planar shape without plastic deformation, or solely via elastic deformation, thereof.

In such examples, the maximum dimension may extend perpendicular, or at least substantially perpendicular, to a longitudinal axis of the tubular shape (i.e., may extend into and/or out of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9). Also in such examples, body thickness 22 of target body 20, resilient polymeric body material 26, a rigidity of the resilient polymeric body material, a flexibility of the resilient polymeric body material, and/or a Young's Modulus of the resilient polymeric body material is selected to facilitate rolling the target into the tubular shape. This may include facilitating rolling the target into the tubular shape with a tube inner diameter 14 of at least 2 centimeters (cm), at least 4 cm, at least 6 cm, at least 8 cm, at least 10 cm, at least 12 cm, at least 14 cm, at least 16 cm, at least 18 cm, at least 20 cm, at most 40 cm, at most 35 cm, at most 30 cm, at most 28 cm, at most 26 cm, at most 24 cm, at most 22 cm, at most 20 cm, at most 18 cm, at most 16 cm, at most 14 cm, at most 12 cm, and/or at most 10 cm. Such a configuration may improve portability of, improve storage of, and/or decrease costs associated with shipping targets 10.

In some examples, front surface 32 of target body 20 may be a smooth, an at least substantially smooth, a non-porous, and/or an at least substantially non-porous front surface. Additionally or alternatively, a front surface porosity of front surface 32 may be less than a bulk porosity of target body 20. Such configurations may cause target body 20 to have increased self-healing properties when compared to other materials with a rougher front surface and/or with greater surface porosity of the front surface. Additionally or alternatively, such configurations may decrease absorption of coating material 60 into the target body, thereby making it faster, easier, and/or more cost effective initially to coat the target body with the coating material and/or to rejuvenate the target body be re-coating the target body with the coating material. Additionally or alternatively, such configurations may cause target body 20, once coated with coating material 60, to exhibit an improved, a larger, and/or a more readily detectable splatter effect 64, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when compared to the other materials with the rougher front surface and/or with the greater surface porosity of the front surface.

Resilient polymeric body material 26 may include and/or be any suitable resilient and polymeric material that may impart targets 10 with self-healing properties upon being shot with the projectile. Examples of the resilient polymeric body material include a rubber, a natural rubber, a ballistic rubber, a non-permeable ballistic rubber, a recycled rubber, and a recycled tire material. Examples of products that may be at least partially formed from and/or by resilient polymeric body material 26 include a gym mat and/or a horse stall mat.

In a specific example, resilient polymeric body material 26 may define a plurality of resilient polymeric body material particles 28, which may be bound together to define the target body, as illustrated in FIG. 1. As examples, the plurality of resilient polymeric body material particles 28 may be vulcanized together and/or may be bound together with an adhesive to form and/or define target body 20. In such examples, the plurality of resilient polymeric body material particles 28 may define an average particle size 30, examples of which include a mean particle size, a median particle size, a mode particle size, a characteristic dimension, a characteristic maximum dimension, a characteristic minimum dimension, a diameter, and/or an effective diameter. Examples of the average particle size include particle sizes of at least 0.1 mm, at least 0.2 mm, at least 0.3 mm, at least 0.4 mm, at least 0.5 mm, at least 0.6 mm, at least 0.7 mm, at least 0.8 mm, at least 0.9 mm, at least 1 mm, at most 2 mm, at most 1.8 mm, at most 1.6 mm, at most 1.4 mm, at most 1.2 mm, at most 1 mm, at most 0.9 mm, at most 0.8 mm, at most 0.7 mm, at most 0.6 mm, at most 0.5 mm, and/or at most 0.4 mm.

As discussed, the body material color of resilient polymeric body material 26 may differ from the coating material color of coating material 60. Examples of the body material color include black, grey, red, brown, and/or green.

Target zone 40 may include and/or be any suitable structure that may be defined on front surface 32 of target body 20 and/or that may be at least partially defined by surface feature 42. Similarly, surface feature 42 may include and/or be any suitable surface feature that may provide the visual indication of the target zone to the shooter.

As an example, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, surface feature 42 may include and/or be a protruding region 50 that may extend from front surface 32 and out from a remainder of target body 20 and/or away from back surface 36. An example of such a protruding region 50 includes a protruding line and/or trench 52 that at least partially, or even completely, surrounds target zone 40 and/or defines an external perimeter of the target zone, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Another example of such a protruding region 50 includes a protruding area 54 that at least partially, or even completely, defines the target zone, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2.

As another example, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4-5, surface feature 42 may include and/or be a recessed region 44 that may extend from front surface 32 and into target body 20 and/or toward back surface 36. An example of such a recessed region 44 includes a recessed line and/or trench 46 that at least partially, or even completely, surrounds target zone 40 and/or defines an external perimeter of the target zone, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. Another example of such a recessed region 44 includes a recessed area 48 that at least partially, or even completely, defines the target zone, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5.

As yet another example, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6-7, surface feature 42 may include and/or be a target zone surface texture 56 of target zone 40. In such a configuration, target zone surface texture 56 may differ from a front surface texture 34 of a remainder of front surface 32 and/or of a region of front surface 32 that surrounds the target zone. Similar to recessed region 44 and protruding region 50, target zone surface texture 56 may surround, at least partially surround, and/or define an external periphery of target zone 40, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Additionally or alternatively, target zone surface texture 56 may extend across an entirety of target zone 40, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

When surface feature 42 includes target zone surface texture 56, the target zone surface texture and/or the front surface texture may be selected to provide the visual indication of the target zone to the shooter despite application, or despite repeated applications, of coating material 60 to front surface 32 of target body 20. Stated differently, the difference between target zone surface texture 56 and front surface texture 34 may be visible to the shooter after application, or after repeated applications, of the coating material to the front surface of the target body.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that target zone surface texture 56 may differ from front surface texture 34 in any suitable manner. As examples, the target zone surface texture may be rougher than the front surface texture, the target zone surface texture may be smoother than the front surface texture, and/or the target zone surface texture may include a different texture pattern when compared to the front surface texture.

Target zone 40 may have and/or define any suitable shape, or outer perimeter shape. As examples, the target zone may include and/or be a rectangular target zone, a circular target zone, an oval target zone, a polygonal target zone, a silhouette-shaped target zone, and/or a torso-shaped target zone, examples of which are collectively illustrated by FIGS. 1, 8, 10-12, and 14.

In some examples, and as illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 1 and in solid lines in FIGS. 10-12 and 14, targets 10 may include a plurality of target zones 40. In such examples, at least one target zone may be spaced apart from at least one other target zone, as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 12, and 14. Additionally or alternatively, at least one target zone may be positioned at least partially, or even completely, within at least one other target zone, as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 10, and 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 13, targets 10 may include and/or may be utilized with a stencil 66. Stencil 66 may be configured to facilitate application of a stenciled coating material to a predetermined and/or specified region of front surface 32. In some examples, the stencil may be shaped to facilitate application of the stenciled coating material to target zone 40, such as to permit and/or facilitate application of a stenciled coating material 69 to the target zone, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 14. Additionally or alternatively, stencil 66 may be shaped to facilitate application of a stenciled coating material shape of the stenciled coating material to the front surface. Examples of the stenciled coating material shape include a firearm coating material shape, a pistol coating material shape, a rifle coating material shape, a rectangular coating material shape, a circular coating material shape, an oval coating material shape, a polygonal coating material shape, and/or a silhouette coating material shape.

Stenciled coating material 69, when utilized, may have and/or exhibit a stenciled coating material color that differs from the coating material color of coating material 60. As such, the presence of stenciled coating material 69 may provide additional visual contrast between stenciled coating material 69 and coating material 60 and/or may permit the shooter to define a new and/or different target region in a location on target 10 that is spaced apart from surface feature 42.

As discussed, targets 10 may be configured to be self-healing for at least a threshold impact location density and/or until at least a threshold number of projectiles has passed through a given region and/or area of the target. However, the self-healing properties of targets 10 may not be perfect, and targets 10 eventually may degrade. In addition, and because a shooter generally will shoot projectiles at and/or into target zone 40, it is expected that target zone 40 will degrade more quickly when compared with a remainder of target 10.

Thus, and as discussed in more detail herein with reference to methods 200 of FIG. 16, targets 10 may be configured to be repaired. As an example, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the shooter may form and/or define a repair hole 70 within the target, such as via cutting out target zone 40 along and/or around the external periphery of the target zone. The shooter then may position a repair plug 72 within the repair hole. The repair plug may be formed and/or defined by the same resilient polymeric body material 26 as the remainder of target 10 and/or from a different material. The repair plug then may be attached to the remainder of target 10, such as via a plug adhesive 78, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-7.

The repair plug may be operatively attached to the remainder of target 10 in any suitable manner. As an example, the repair plug may be operatively attached to the target body via a butt joint 74. Additionally or alternatively, the repair plug may be operatively attached to the plug body via a lap joint 76. Subsequently, the repair plug, a region of the front surface that includes the repair plug, and/or an entirety of the front surface may be coated with coating material 60. This may, in some examples, be performed utilizing stencil 66.

Returning to FIG. 1, and as illustrated in dashed lines, target 10 may include and/or may be utilized with a support frame 80. Support frame 80, when present, may be adapted, configured, designed, and/or constructed to support target 10, such as in a vertical orientation, while the shooter fires projectiles at the target. As also illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 1, support frame 80 may include and/or may be utilized with an attachment structure 82, which may be configured to operatively attach the target to the support frame. An example of support frame 80 includes a wooden support frame, such as may be fabricated from dimensional lumber. Examples of attachment structure 82 include an attachment fastener and/or an attachment clip.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that targets 10 may have and/or define any suitable shape, such as may be desired by a given shooter, utilized in a given shooting event, and/or required for the given shooting event. This shape may include an overall, or outer, shape of targets 10, a size of targets 10, and/or a size, shape, and/or orientation of one or more target zones 40 included in targets 10. As an example, and as illustrated in FIG. 8, targets 10 may take the form of a conventional Bulls-eye target. In such a configuration, surface features 42 may define two or more intersecting and/or annular lines. Additional examples of targets 10 include targets that are configured according to Practical Competitive Shooting League (PCSL), Reduced C-Zone, B21-E, B-27, TSR-1, TSR-2, TQ-15, TQ-19, TQ-20, TQ-21, and/or TZ-22 standards.

In some examples, target body 20 of targets 10 may define a torso-shaped outer perimeter. Stated differently, the outer boundary, or perimeter, of targets 10 may be shaped, or at least partially shaped, like a human torso, as illustrated in FIGS. 10-12 and 14.

In a specific example, the torso-shaped outer perimeter may be sized and/or shaped to an International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) and/or to a United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) specification and/or standard, as illustrated in FIG. 10. In such a configuration, targets 10 may include a plurality of target zones 40, with each target zone being positioned and sized according to the dimensions that are illustrated in FIG. 10. In this example, the plurality of target zones 40 may include an at least partially rectangular first target zone that is positioned within a head region of the torso-shaped outer perimeter. Also in this example, the plurality of target zones may include an at least partially rectangular second target zone that is positioned within a chest section of the torso-shaped outer perimeter. Also in this example, the plurality of target zones may include an at least partially polygonal third target zone that surrounds the second target zone. Also in this example, the plurality of target zones may include a border fourth target zone that may extend around, or along an external edge of, the torso-shaped outer perimeter.

In another specific example, the torso-shaped outer perimeter may be sized and/or shaped to an International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) specification and/or standard, as illustrated in FIG. 11. In such a configuration, targets 10 may include a plurality of target zones, with each target zone being positioned and sized according to the dimensions that are illustrated in FIG. 11. In this example, the plurality of target zones may include an at least partially circular first target zone positioned within a chest region of the torso-shaped outer perimeter and/or an at least partially polygonal second target zone, which may surround the first target zone. Also in this example, the plurality of target zones may include a border third target zone that may extend around, or along an external edge of, the torso-shaped outer perimeter.

In another specific example, the torso-shaped outer perimeter may be sized and/or shaped to a United States Marine Corps (USMC) specification and/or standard, as illustrated in FIG. 12. In such a configuration, targets 10 may include a plurality of target zones, with each target zone being positioned and sized as illustrated in FIG. 12. In this example, the plurality of target zones may include a first target zone positioned within a head region of the torso-shaped outer perimeter, and the first target zone may be an at least partially T-shaped first target zone. Also in this example, the plurality of target zones may include a second target zone positioned within a chest region of the torso-shaped outer perimeter, and the second target zone may be an at least partially circular second target zone. Also in this example, the plurality of target zones may include a third target zone positioned within a stomach region of the torso-shaped outer perimeter, and the third target zone may be an at least partially pentagonal third target zone.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart depicting examples of methods 100 of manufacturing self-healing targets for projectiles, according to the present disclosure. Examples of the self-healing targets and/or components thereof are disclosed herein with reference to self-healing targets 10 of FIGS. 1-14. Methods 100 may include molding a resilient polymeric material at 110 and include forming a target body at 120 and forming a surface feature at 130. Methods 100 also may include coating a front surface at 140.

Molding the resilient polymeric material at 110 may include molding the resilient polymeric material in and/or within a mold. When methods 100 include the molding at 110, the forming at 120 and the forming at 130 may be responsive to and/or may be a result of the molding at 110. Stated differently, the molding at 110 may both form the target body, such as during the forming at 120, and form the surface texture, such as during the forming at 130. In such a configuration, the molding at 110, the forming at 120, and the forming at 130 may be performed at least partially, or even completely, concurrently.

Forming the target body at 120 may include forming the target body from the resilient polymeric material. This may include forming the target body such that the target body defines a front surface, which is configured to face toward a shooter, a back surface, which is configured to face away from the shooter, and an outer perimeter, which is defined around an exterior periphery of the front surface.

The forming at 120 may be performed in any suitable manner. As an example, the forming at 120 may include cutting the target body from a larger sheet, or from a single large sheet, of resilient polymeric material. This may include manually cutting the target body from the larger sheet of resilient polymeric material, such as via utilizing a blade and/or knife.

Additionally or alternatively, the cutting may include mechanically and/or automatically cutting the target body from the larger sheet of resilient polymeric material. In a specific example, a router, such as a computer numerical control (CNC) router, may be utilized to perform the cutting. In such an example, the forming at 120 may include partially cutting the target body from the larger sheet of resilient polymeric material utilizing the CNC router, such as via cutting only partially through a thickness of the larger sheet of resilient polymeric material, and subsequently finish cutting the target body from the larger sheet of resilient polymeric material, such as via manually cutting through a remainder of the thickness of the larger sheet of resilient polymeric material. Such a configuration may decrease a potential for damage to the CNC router during the cutting.

In another specific example, the forming at 120 may include die cutting the target body from the larger sheet of resilient polymeric material. This may include positioning the larger sheet of resilient polymeric material within a die cutter and utilizing the die cutter to cut the larger sheet of resilient polymeric material and/or to separate the target body from the larger sheet of resilient polymeric material.

Forming the surface feature at 130 may include forming the surface feature within the target body, with the resilient polymeric body material, such that the surface feature defines a target zone on the front surface of the target body, and/or such that the surface feature provides a visual indication of the target zone to the shooter. The forming at 130 may be performed in any suitable manner, and examples of the surface feature are disclosed herein with reference to surface feature 42.

As an example, the forming at 130 may include manually forming the surface feature. In a specific example, the manually forming the surface feature may include utilizing a tire grooving tool to manually define one or more recessed lines and/or trenches within the target body, thereby defining the surface feature.

As another example, the forming at 130 may include mechanically and/or automatically forming the surface feature. In a specific example, the forming at 130 may include utilizing the CNC router to form and/or define the surface feature.

Coating the front surface at 140 may include coating the front surface of the target body with a coating material. The coating at 140 may be performed in any suitable manner. As an example, the coating at 140 may include spray painting the front surface of the target body.

In some examples, the coating material may be a first coating material, and the coating at 140 may include stenciling a design onto the front surface of the target body utilizing a stencil and a second coating material. In such examples, a second coating material color of the second coating material may differ from a first coating material color of the first coating material.

The various steps of methods 100 may be performed with any suitable timing and/or sequence. As an example, and as discussed, when methods 100 include the molding at 110, the forming at 120 and the forming at 130 may be responsive to and/or a result of the molding at 110. As another example, and while not required of all examples, the coating at 140 generally is performed subsequent to the molding at 110, the forming at 120, and/or the forming at 130.

In some examples, the forming at 120 and the forming at 130 may be performed sequentially. In other examples, the forming at 120 and the forming at 130 may be performed concurrently, at least partially concurrently, or completely concurrently, such as when methods 100 include the molding at 110. In some examples, the forming at 120 may be performed prior to the forming at 130, such as when methods 100 include defining the outer perimeter of the target body prior to forming the surface feature. Alternatively, the forming at 120 may be performed subsequent to the forming at 130, such as when methods 100 include performing the forming at 130 to form a plurality of surface features on the single large sheet of resilient polymeric material and subsequently separating the single large sheet of resilient polymeric material into a plurality of distinct targets via performing the forming at 120.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart depicting examples of methods 200 of utilizing self-healing targets, according to the present disclosure, such as self-healing targets 10, which are disclosed herein. Methods 200 include impacting a front surface of the target at 210 and rejuvenating the target at 220. Methods 200 also may include repeating at 230 and/or repairing the target at 240.

Impacting the front surface of the target at 210 may include impacting the front surface of the target with a projectile. This may include impacting to form and/or define a splatter mark on the front surface of the target, such as to aid a shooter in visually determining a location of impact of the projectile on the front surface of the target.

Rejuvenating the target at 220 may include rejuvenating the target by coating at least the splatter mark with a coating material. This may include coating to cover the splatter mark with the coating material, such as to make it easier for the shooter to determine a location of impact for a subsequently fired projectile.

Repeating at 230 may include repeating any suitable step and/or steps of methods 200 in any suitable order. As an example, the repeating at 230 may include impacting the front surface of the target with another projectile to form another splatter mark on the front surface of the target. As another example, the repeating at 230 may include repeating the impacting at 210 a plurality of times prior to performing the rejuvenating at 220. As yet another example, the repeating at 230 may include repeating the impacting at 210 subsequent to performing the rejuvenating at 220.

Repairing the target at 240 may include repairing the target in any suitable manner. As an example, the repairing at 240 may include at least partially filling a damaged region of the target body with an adhesive material. As another example, the repairing at 240 may include removing a damaged region of the target body to define a repair hole within the target body and subsequently positioning a repair plug within the repair hole.

In the present disclosure, several of the illustrative, non-exclusive examples have been discussed and/or presented in the context of flow diagrams, or flow charts, in which the methods are shown and described as a series of blocks, or steps. Unless specifically set forth in the accompanying description, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the order of the blocks may vary from the illustrated order in the flow diagram, including with two or more of the blocks (or steps) occurring in a different order and/or concurrently.

As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same manner, i.e., “one or more” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B,” when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” may refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more entities should be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more of the entities in the list of entities, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every entity specifically listed within the list of entities and not excluding any combinations of entities in the list of entities. This definition also allows that entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified within the list of entities to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) may refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other entities). In other words, the phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” may mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B, and C together, and optionally any of the above in combination with at least one other entity.

In the event that any patents, patent applications, or other references are incorporated by reference herein and (1) define a term in a manner that is inconsistent with and/or (2) are otherwise inconsistent with, either the non-incorporated portion of the present disclosure or any of the other incorporated references, the non-incorporated portion of the present disclosure shall control, and the term or incorporated disclosure therein shall only control with respect to the reference in which the term is defined and/or the incorporated disclosure was present originally.

As used herein the terms “adapted” and “configured” mean that the element, component, or other subject matter is designed and/or intended to perform a given function. Thus, the use of the terms “adapted” and “configured” should not be construed to mean that a given element, component, or other subject matter is simply “capable of” performing a given function but that the element, component, and/or other subject matter is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the function. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that elements, components, and/or other recited subject matter that is recited as being adapted to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being configured to perform that function, and vice versa.

As used herein, the phrase, “for example,” the phrase, “as an example,” and/or simply the term “example,” when used with reference to one or more components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods according to the present disclosure, are intended to convey that the described component, feature, detail, structure, embodiment, and/or method is an illustrative, non-exclusive example of components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods according to the present disclosure. Thus, the described component, feature, detail, structure, embodiment, and/or method is not intended to be limiting, required, or exclusive/exhaustive; and other components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods, including structurally and/or functionally similar and/or equivalent components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods, are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

As used herein, “at least substantially,” when modifying a degree or relationship, may include not only the recited “substantial” degree or relationship, but also the full extent of the recited degree or relationship. A substantial amount of a recited degree or relationship may include at least 75% of the recited degree or relationship. For example, an object that is at least substantially formed from a material includes objects for which at least 75% of the objects are formed from the material and also includes objects that are completely formed from the material. As another example, a first length that is at least substantially as long as a second length includes first lengths that are within 75% of the second length and also includes first lengths that are as long as the second length.

Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of self-healing targets and methods according to the present disclosure are presented in the following enumerated paragraphs. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that an individual step of a method recited herein, including in the following enumerated paragraphs, may additionally or alternatively be referred to as a “step for” performing the recited action.

A1. A self-healing target for projectiles, the target comprising:

- a target body defined by a sheet of resilient polymeric body material, wherein the target body defines a front surface, which is configured to face toward a shooter, and a back surface, which is configured to face away from the shooter; and
- a target zone on the front surface of the target body, wherein the target zone is at least partially defined by a surface feature that is defined within the target body to provide a visual indication of the target zone to the shooter.

A2. The target of paragraph A1, wherein the back surface is a planar, or at least substantially planar, back surface.

A3. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A2, wherein the back surface at least one of is opposed to the front surface, is opposite the front surface, and faces away from the front surface.

A4. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A3, wherein at least a threshold surface area fraction of a front surface area of the front surface extends parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to the back surface, optionally wherein the threshold surface area fraction is 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97.5%, or 99%.

A5. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A4, wherein the target body defines a body thickness, or an average body thickness, as measured between the front surface and the back surface, and further wherein the body thickness is at least one of:

- (i) at least 5 millimeters (mm), at least 6 mm, at least 7 mm, at least 8 mm, at least 9 mm, at least 10 mm, at least 12 mm, at least 14 mm, at least 16 mm, at least 18 mm, or at least 20 mm;
- (ii) at most 30 mm, at most 25 mm, at most 20 mm, at most 18 mm, at most 16 mm, at most 14 mm, at most 12 mm, or at most 10 mm; and
- (iii) equal, or at least substantially equal, to 12.7 mm.

A6. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A5, wherein the target is rolled into a tubular, or at least substantially tubular, shape.

A7. The target of paragraph A6, wherein at least one of a/the body thickness of the target body, the resilient polymeric body material, a rigidity of the resilient polymeric body material, a flexibility of the resilient polymeric body material, and a Young's Modulus of the resilient polymeric body material is selected to facilitate rolling the target into the tubular shape.

A8. The target of any of paragraphs A6-A7, wherein the tubular shape has a tube inner diameter of at least one of:

- (i) at least 2 centimeters (cm), at least 4 cm, at least 6 cm, at least 8 cm, at least 10 cm, at least 12 cm, at least 14 cm, at least 16 cm, at least 18 cm, or at least 20 cm; and
- (ii) at most 40 cm, at most 35 cm, at most 30 cm, at most 28 cm, at most 26 cm, at most 24 cm, at most 22 cm, at most 20 cm, at most 18 cm, at most 16 cm, at most 14 cm, at most 12 cm, or at most 10 cm.

A9. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A8, wherein the front surface is at least one of a smooth front surface and a non-porous front surface.

A10. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A9, wherein a front surface porosity of the front surface is less than a bulk porosity of the target body.

A11. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A10, wherein the target body has a maximum dimension, optionally as measured on the front surface, of at least one of:

- (i) at least 10 cm, at least 15 cm, at least 20 cm, at least 25 cm, at least 30 cm, at least 35 cm, at least 40 cm, at least 50 cm, at least 60 cm, at least 70 cm, or at least 80 cm; and
- (ii) at most 200 cm, at most 175 cm, at most 150 cm, at most 125 cm, at most 100 cm, at most 90 cm, at most 80 cm, at most 70 cm, at most 60 cm, or at most 50 cm.

A12. The target of paragraph A11 when dependent from any of paragraphs A6-A8, wherein the maximum dimension extends perpendicular, or at least substantially perpendicular, to a longitudinal axis of the tubular shape.

A13. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A12, wherein the resilient polymeric body material has a body material color of at least one of black, grey, red, brown, and green.

A14. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A13, wherein the resilient polymeric body material defines a plurality of resilient polymeric body material particles bound together to define the target body.

A15. The target of paragraph A14, wherein the plurality of resilient polymeric body material particles defines an average particle size of at least one of:

- (i) at least 0.1 mm, at least 0.2 mm, at least 0.3 mm, at least 0.4 mm, at least 0.5 mm, at least 0.6 mm, at least 0.7 mm, at least 0.8 mm, at least 0.9 mm, or at least 1 mm; and
- (ii) at most 2 mm, at most 1.8 mm, at most 1.6 mm, at most 1.4 mm, at most 1.2 mm, at most 1 mm, at most 0.9 mm, at most 0.8 mm, at most 0.7 mm, at most 0.6 mm, at most 0.5 mm, or at most 0.4 mm.

A16. The target of any of paragraphs A14-A15, wherein the plurality of resilient polymeric body material particles is at least one of vulcanized together to define the target body and bound together with an adhesive to define the target body.

A17. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A16, wherein the resilient polymeric body material includes at least one of a rubber, a natural rubber, a ballistic rubber, a non-permeable ballistic rubber, and a recycled tire material.

A18. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A17, wherein, subsequent to passage of the projectiles therethrough, the resilient polymeric body material is configured to at least one of:

- (i) return to its original, or at least substantially original, shape;
- (ii) close, at least partially close, or at least substantially completely close holes formed therewithin as the projectiles pass therethrough; and
- (iii) fuse with itself within a vicinity of holes formed therewithin as the projectiles pass therethrough.

A19. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A18, wherein the resilient polymeric body material is configured to deform, to resiliently deform, or to at least partially resiliently deform around the projectiles as the projectiles pass therethrough.

A20. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A19, wherein the surface feature includes a recessed region that extends from the front surface and toward the back surface.

A21. The target of paragraph A20, wherein the recessed region includes at least one of a recessed line and a recessed trench that at least partially, or even completely, surrounds the target zone.

A22. The target of any of paragraphs A20-A21, wherein the recessed region includes a recessed area that at least partially, or even completely, defines the target zone.

A23. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A22, wherein the surface feature includes a protruding region that extends from the front surface and away from the back surface.

A24. The target of paragraph A23, wherein the protruding region includes at least one of a protruding line and a protruding trench that at least partially, or even completely, surrounds the target zone.

A25. The target of any of paragraphs A23-A24, wherein the protruding region includes a protruding area that at least partially, or even completely, defines the target zone.

A26. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A25, wherein the surface feature includes target zone surface texture that differs from a front surface texture of a region of the front surface that surrounds the target zone.

A27. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A26, wherein the surface feature defines at least two intersecting lines that at least partially define the target zone.

A28. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A27, wherein the target zone is at least one of a rectangular target zone, a circular target zone, an oval target zone, a polygonal target zone, a silhouette-shaped target zone, and a torso-shaped target zone.

A29. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A28, wherein the target includes a plurality of target zones.

A30. The target of paragraph A29, wherein at least one target zone of the plurality of target zones is spaced apart from at least one other target zone of the plurality of target zones.

A31. The target of any of paragraphs A29-A30, wherein at least one target zone of the plurality of target zones is positioned within at least one other target zone of the plurality of target zones.

A32. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A31, wherein the target further includes a coating material that coats at least one of the front surface of the target body, a substantial portion of the front surface of the target body, and the target zone.

A33. The target of paragraph A32, wherein the coating material includes, or is, a paint.

A34. The target of any of paragraphs A32-A33, wherein the coating material has a coating material color that differs from a/the body material color of the resilient polymeric body material.

A35. The target of paragraph A34, wherein the coating material color contrasts with the body material color.

A36. The target of any of paragraphs A34-A35, wherein the coating material color is brighter than the body material color.

A37. The target of any of paragraphs A34-A36, wherein the coating material color is darker than the body material color.

A38. The target of any of paragraphs A34-A37, wherein the coating material color is white.

A39. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A38, wherein the target further includes a stencil configured to facilitate application of a stenciled coating material to a predetermined region of the front surface.

A40. The target of paragraph A39, wherein the stencil is shaped to facilitate application of the stenciled coating material to the target zone.

A41. The target of any of paragraphs A39-A40, wherein the stencil is shaped to facilitate application of a stenciled coating material shape of the stenciled coating material to the front surface, wherein the stenciled coating material shape is at least one of a firearm coating material shape, a pistol coating material shape, a rifle coating material shape, a rectangular coating material shape, a circular coating material shape, an oval coating material shape, a polygonal coating material shape, and a silhouette coating material shape.

A42. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A41, wherein the target body defines a repair hole, and further wherein the target includes a repair plug positioned within the repair hole.

A43. The target of paragraphs A1-A42, wherein the repair plug is defined by the resilient polymeric body material.

A44. The target of any of paragraphs A42-A43, wherein the repair plug is operatively attached to the target body via a butt joint.

A45. The target of any of paragraphs A42-A44, wherein the repair plug is operatively attached to the target body via a lap joint.

A46. The target of any of paragraphs A42-A45, wherein the repair plug is operatively attached to the target body via a plug adhesive.

A47. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A46, wherein the target further includes a support frame configured to support the target in a vertical orientation while the shooter fires the projectiles at the target.

A48. The target of paragraph A47, wherein the support frame includes an attachment structure configured to operatively attach the target to the support frame, optionally wherein the attachment structure includes at least one of an attachment fastener and an attachment clip.

A49. The target of any of paragraphs A1-A48, wherein the target body defines a torso-shaped outer perimeter.

A50. The target of paragraph A49, wherein the torso-shaped outer perimeter is sized according to at least one of IPSC specifications and USPSA specifications.

A51. The target of any of paragraphs A49-A50, wherein the torso-shaped outer perimeter is sized according to the dimensions illustrated in FIG. 10.

A52. The target of any of paragraphs A49-A51, wherein the target includes a plurality of target zones.

A53. The target of paragraph A52, wherein the plurality of target zones is positioned and sized according to the dimensions illustrated in FIG. 10.

A54. The target of any of paragraphs A52-A53, wherein the plurality of target zones includes an at least partially rectangular first target zone positioned within a head region of the torso-shaped outer perimeter.

A55. The target of any of paragraphs A52-A54, wherein the plurality of target zones includes an at least partially rectangular second target zone positioned within a chest region of the torso-shaped outer perimeter.

A56. The target of any of paragraphs A52-A55, wherein the plurality of target zones includes an at least partially polygonal third target zone that surrounds the second target zone.

A57. The target of any of paragraphs A52-A56, wherein the plurality of target zones includes a border fourth target zone that extends around the torso-shaped outer perimeter.

A58. The target of paragraph A49, wherein the torso-shaped outer perimeter is sized according to IDPA specifications.

A59. The target of paragraph A58, wherein at least one of:

- (i) the torso-shaped outer perimeter is sized according to the dimensions illustrated in FIG. 11; and
- (ii) the plurality of target zones is positioned and sized according to the dimensions illustrated in FIG. 11.

A60. The target of paragraph A59, wherein the target includes a plurality of target zones.

A61. The target of paragraph A60, wherein the plurality of target zones includes an at least partially circular first target zone positioned within a chest region of the torso-shaped outer perimeter.

A62. The target of any of paragraphs A60-A61, wherein the plurality of target zones includes an at least partially polygonal second target zone that surrounds the first target zone.

A63. The target of any of paragraphs A60-A62, wherein the plurality of target zones includes a border third target zone that extends around the torso-shaped outer perimeter.

A64. The target of paragraph A49, wherein the torso-shaped outer perimeter is shaped according to FIG. 11.

A65. The target of paragraph A64, wherein the target includes a plurality of target zones.

A66. The target of paragraph A65, wherein the plurality of target zones includes a first target zone positioned within a head region of the torso-shaped outer perimeter, optionally wherein the first target zone is an at least partially T-shaped first target zone.

A67. The target of any of paragraphs A65-A66, wherein the plurality of target zones includes a second target zone positioned within a chest region of the torso-shaped outer perimeter, optionally wherein the second target zone is an at least partially circular second target zone.

A68. The target of any of paragraphs A65-A67, wherein the plurality of target zones includes a third target zone positioned within a stomach region of the torso-shaped outer perimeter, optionally wherein the third target zone is an at least partially pentagonal third target zone.

A69. A kit of components configured to be utilized for target shooting, the kit comprising:

- the self-healing target of any of paragraphs A1-A68; and
- at least one of:
- (i) a volume of a/the coating material;
- (ii) a/the stencil;
- (iii) a/the repair plug;
- (iv) a/the adhesive; and
- (v) a/the support frame.

B1. A method of manufacturing a self-healing target for projectiles, the method comprising:

- forming a target body from a resilient polymeric material such that the target body defines a sheet of the resilient polymeric material that includes a front surface, which is configured to face toward a shooter, a back surface, which is configured to face away from the shooter, and an outer perimeter, which is defined around an exterior periphery of the front surface; and
- forming a surface feature within the target body such that the surface feature defines a target zone on the front surface of the target body and provides a visual indication of the target zone to the shooter.

B2. The method of paragraph B1, wherein the method includes forming the target body prior to forming the surface feature.

B3. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B2, wherein the method includes forming the exterior periphery of the target body subsequent to the forming the surface feature.

B4. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B3, wherein the method includes forming the target body and forming the surface feature sequentially.

B5. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B4, wherein the method includes forming the target body and forming the surface feature concurrently, at least partially concurrently, or completely concurrently.

B6. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B5, wherein the forming the target body includes cutting the target body from a larger sheet of resilient polymeric material.

B7. The method of paragraph B6, wherein the cutting includes at least one of:

- (i) manually cutting; and
- (ii) mechanically cutting.

B8. The method of any of paragraphs B6-B7, wherein the cutting includes cutting with a computerized numerical control (CNC) router.

B9. The method of paragraph B8, wherein the cutting with the CNC router includes partially cutting with the CNC router, and further wherein the cutting includes manually finish cutting the target body from the larger sheet of resilient polymeric material.

B10. The method of any of paragraphs B6-B9, wherein the cutting includes die cutting the target body.

B11. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B10, wherein the forming the surface feature includes at least one of:

- (i) manually forming the surface feature; and
- (ii) mechanically forming the surface feature.

B12. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B11, wherein the forming the surface feature includes manually defining the surface feature, optionally utilizing a tire grooving tool.

B13. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B12, wherein the forming the surface feature includes forming the surface feature utilizing a/the CNC router.

B14. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B13, wherein the method includes molding the resilient polymeric material in a mold, wherein the forming the target body and the forming the surface feature are responsive to the molding.

B15. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B14, wherein the method further includes coating the front surface of the target body with a coating material.

B16. The method of paragraph B15, wherein the coating includes spray painting the front surface of the target body.

B17. The method of any of paragraphs B15-B16, wherein the coating material is a first coating material, and further wherein the method includes stenciling a design on the front surface of the target body utilizing a stencil and a second coating material, wherein a second coating color of the second coating material differs from a first coating color of the first coating material.

B18. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B17, wherein the target includes any suitable structure, function, and/or feature of any of the targets of any of paragraphs A1-A68.

C1. A method of utilizing the self-healing target of any of paragraphs A1-A68, the method comprising:

- impacting the front surface of the target with a projectile to form a splatter mark on the front surface of the target; and
- rejuvenating the target by coating at least the splatter mark with a coating material to cover the splatter mark with the coating material.

C2. The method of paragraph C1, wherein the method further includes impacting the front surface of the target with another projectile to form another splatter mark on the front surface of the target.

C3. The method of any of paragraphs C1-C2, wherein the method further includes repairing the target.

C4. The method of paragraph C3, wherein the repairing includes removing a damaged region of the target body to define a repair hole within the target body and subsequently positioning a repair plug within the repair hole.

C5. The method of any of paragraphs C3-C4, wherein the repairing includes at least partially filling a/the damaged region of the target body with an adhesive material.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The self-healing targets and methods disclosed herein are applicable to the shooting sports industries.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower, or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.

SELF-HEALING TARGETS, METHODS OF MANUFACTURING SELF-HEALING TARGETS, AND METHODS OF UTILIZING SELF-HEALING TARGETS

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