Patent Application
20230392907
The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to shooting targets. Particularly, the various embodiments disclosed herein relate to shooting targets that are carried on a stand. More particularly, the various embodiments disclosed herein relate to shooting targets that include rotating target members, which are biased to one of two set positions after they are moved after being struck by a projectile, such as a bullet shot from a firearm.
Target shooting is a popular recreational and competitive activity that is widely enjoyed by many individuals of different skill levels and ages. In addition to being widely enjoyed, target shooting offers many benefits to the individuals that participate. Specifically, it facilitates the development of an individual's motor skills, including their eye-hand coordination, as well as the development of technical skills, including precision and accuracy, that are needed to properly handle and discharge a firearm. Beyond the technical benefits, target shooting offers individuals an activity that can be enjoyed in groups and by families of a wide variety of ages and contributes to the development of comradery among its participants.
Target shooting is also effective in the development, refinement and maintenance of a shooter's accuracy and precision. This is important not only in connection with competitive or recreational target shooting, but especially in connection with professions where shooting accuracy is necessary, such as law enforcement and the military. It is especially important for a shooter to be able to have the opportunity to continuously shoot at targets, so that he or she can develop and/or maintain their reflexes and muscle-memory in carrying out the shooting process.
Unfortunately, many shooting targets that are on the market are single-use, one-and-done type of targets. That is, these single use type of targets no longer continue to function as a target once they are shot at and destroyed and rendered useless. As such, these single-use type of targets are often costly and contribute to environmental waste, as these targets do not offer any other utility once they are struck and destroyed and rendered useless. Other types of reusable targets are also offered but require that the shooter manually reset the target so that it can be shot at again. This is undesirable, as the repetitive act of shooting is interrupted by the need to reset the target back up again.
Such a process is time consuming and cumbersome. Furthermore, this starting and stopping inhibits the development of a consistent shooting rhythm and the development of sufficient muscle memory. As a result, the amount of time required to improve and maintain a shooter's skill is increased, which is unwanted.
In contrast, other targets, referred to as “dueling tree” targets, offer a reciprocating type of target action in which a pivoting target member is permitted to move between 2 positions on the left and right of the dueling tree. For example, when a target member that is positioned on the left side of the dueling tree is struck by a projectile that is discharged by a firearm, the target member then rotates to the right side of the dueling tree, and vice versa. This back and forth, reciprocating movement of the target member between the left and right sides of the dueling tree allows for continuous and uninterrupted target shooting. As such, this dueling-tree style of target allows the shooter to continue shooting the target member without the interruption resulting from having to set up the target or from having to replace the target with a new target after each successful projectile strike of the target by the shooter.
Unfortunately, current dueling-tree type shooting targets are susceptible to problems, whereby the pivoting target member becomes stuck between its two end set positions, where it is obscured from the view of the shooter by an upright support member that carries the target members. As such, the target member cannot be shot. This causes the shooter to have to stop and reset the target member, which is time consuming, inconvenient and unwanted. In addition, current dueling-tree type shooting targets do not permit a user to easily replace the mechanism that allows the target member to rotate or pivot between its end set points once it has become worn and become degraded beyond its useful life.
Therefore, there is a need for a shooting target, which ensures that a target member pivots in a reciprocal manner between two end set positions with increased reliability, while avoiding the unwanted occurrence of the target member becoming stuck between the two end positions and obscured from the view of the shooter, such that it cannot be shot at. In addition, there is a need for a shooting target that allows the mechanism that permits the target member to pivot to be readily replaced in a user-friendly manner.
It is one aspect of the various embodiments disclosed herein to provide a shooting target assembly comprising a base; an elongated upright member attached to said base; an upper retaining member attached to said upright member, said upper retaining member having a first aperture; a lower retaining member attached to said upright member, said lower retaining member having a second aperture; a first tapered member and a second tapered member attached to said lower retaining member and positioned proximate to said second aperture; and a target member pivotably attached to said first and second apertures, wherein an edge of said target member slides over said first and second tapered members when said target rotates between a first position and a second position.
It is another aspect of the various embodiments disclosed herein to provide an unassembled shooting target kit comprising a base; an elongated upright member configured to be attached to said base; an upper retaining member having a first aperture, said upper retaining member configured to be attached to said upright member; a lower retaining member having a second aperture, said lower retaining member configured to be attached to said upright member; a first tapered member and a second tapered member attached to said lower retaining member and positioned proximate to said second aperture; and a target member configured to be pivotably attached to said first and second apertures, wherein an edge of said target member slides over said first and second tapered members when said target rotates between a first position and a second position.
The various embodiments disclosed herein will become better understood with regard to the following description, accompanying drawings, and claims wherein:
A shooting target in accordance with the various concepts set forth herein is referred to by reference number 10, as shown in
Specifically, the shooting target 10 includes a base 400, which is configured to rest upon any suitable support surface, such as the ground or a table for example. The base 400 includes a plurality of legs 410. In some cases, the shooting target 10 includes 4 legs, however more or less legs may be utilized. For example, the shooting target may use 3 legs. The legs 410 are elongated, and in some embodiments may have a projection 420 that extends from an edge of the leg 410, which is configured to rest upon the support surface 402. As such, the projection 420 serves to elevate the leg 410 above the support surface 402. In some embodiments, the height of the projections 420 may be adjustable, such as by a threaded connection with the legs 410. For example, a threaded stud received in the legs 410 may be used. In other embodiments, the base 400 may include a self-leveling mechanism that allows the target 10 to become automatically leveled when it is placed on an angled or uneven support surface, such as the ground. The base 400 may be formed of any suitable material, such as steel, aluminum, or other metals, and alloys thereof, as well as plastic. In some embodiments, the legs 410 may be provided as individual or separate bodies, or they may be connected and integrated together, as a single piece.
In alternative embodiments, the base 400 may comprise a single body, which may be rectilinear, curvilinear or a combination thereof. This alternative base may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, steel, aluminum, or other metal and alloys thereof. For example, the base 400 may be a single rectangular body.
In some embodiments, the base 400 may be weighted with one or more weighted members to provide further support to the shooting target 10. The weight may be integrated into the base 400 or may be removably attached to the base to increase stability. For example, the legs 410 may include removable weighted segments, or may include compartments in which a user may selectively add weights therein.
Extending from the base 400 is the upright member 300, as shown in the Figs., particularly
The upright member 300 includes an angled bend 580 at a point that is proximate or near the bottom edge 550, as shown clearly in
Furthermore, the axes of rotation of the carrying members 650 provided by the rotating target member 100 are oriented so as to be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the angled upright member 300, as shown in
In still other embodiments, the target face 660 may be attached to the carrying member 650 at various angles. For example, when the target face 660 is at either of the first or second “set” positions at the end of its path of rotation, the plane formed by the target face 660 may be parallel to the plane formed by the upper portion 313 of the upright member 300. However, in some cases, the plane formed by the target face 660 may be configured so that it is not parallel to the plane formed by the upright member 300 when the target face 660 is at either of the first or second “set” positions. In still other embodiments, the target face 660 may be oriented so that it is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shooting target 10, or the lower portion 315 of the upright member 300. However, it should be appreciated that the plane formed by the target face 660 when it is at either of its “set” positions may be arranged at any angle relative to the plane formed by the upper portion 313 or the lower portion 315 of the upright member 300.
It should also be appreciated that in some embodiments, the angled bend 580 of the upright member 300 may be embodied as an adjustable tilt mechanism, which allows the amount of the bend 580 to be adjustably set by the user. For example, the bend 580 may be achieved by an adjustable tilt mechanism, whereby the upper and lower portions of the upright member 300 are joined by a hinge. The hinge may be coupled by a threaded pin or screw that serves to lock the position of the hinge when the threaded pin is tightened and allows the hinge to pivot when the threaded pin is loosened.
Further, in some embodiments, the upright member 300 may comprise a substantially rectilinear section, as shown in the FIGS. In addition, the upright member 300 may comprise a rectilinear or curvilinear shape, as well as a combination thereof. In addition, the portion of the upright member 300 that is positioned above the bend 580 may be a shape that is different from the shape of the upright member 300 that is below the bend 580. For example, the portion of the upright member 300 that is above and/or below the bend 580 may be a curvilinear shape, such as a circle or oval, a rectilinear shape, such as a square or rectangle, or may be a combination of both.
As previously discussed, the bottom edge 550 of the upright member 300 is attached to the base 400. In some embodiments, the upright member 300 may be removably attached to the base 400, such as through threaded fasteners 440, including nuts and bolts, as shown in the FIGS. In further embodiments, the upright member 300 may be attached such that the legs 410 are received within slots disposed in the upright member 300 at a position that is proximate to its bottom edge 550. However, the base 400 may be removably attached to the upright member 300 or may be permanently attached to the upright member 300, such as through welding or adhesive.
It should be appreciated that the inner surface 500 of the upright member 300 may include a support rib 690, which extends from the inner surface 500 at a substantially right angle. The support rib 690 may be configured to extend the full length of the upright member 300, as shown in
Attached to the inner surface 500 of the upright member 300 are one or more target assemblies 600, as shown in
Continuing, the pivot assembly 200 includes upper and lower retaining members 700 and 710. The retaining members 700,710 are configured to retain respective ends 652 and 654 of the carrying member 650 provided by the target member 100, while allowing the target member 100 to rotate relative to the upright member 300. Specifically, the upper and lower retaining members 700,710 may be formed from any suitable material, such as metal, including steel or aluminum for example, as well as alloys thereof, including plastic.
Specifically, the upper retaining member 700 includes a body 720 having an upper and lower surface 722,724. Disposed through the body 720 is an aperture 750, which may be any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the aperture 750 may be circumscribed by an undulating surface 760, as shown in the Figs. However, in other embodiments, the aperture 750 may be smooth, without any undulations. Continuing, the upper retaining member 700 is configured to extend from the inner surface 500 of the upright member 300, such as at a substantially right angle. In some embodiments, the upper retaining member 700 may be rigidly attached to the upright member 300, such as through welding or rivets for example. However, it should be appreciated that the upper retaining member 700 may be removably attached to the upright member 300, such as through threaded fasteners, such as nuts and bolts. For example, the upper retaining member 700 may be attached to the upright member 300 in a similar manner to that of the lower upright member 710 to be discussed, such as through one or more threaded fasteners, such as a nut and bolt, to a retaining boss that is rigidly attached to the inner surface 500 of the upright member 300.
The lower retaining member 710 includes a body 770 having an upper surface 772 and a lower surface 774. Disposed through the body 770 is a main aperture 780, which may be any suitable shape, as well as one or more mounting apertures 782 and 784 that are disposed therethrough. Positioned proximate to the main aperture 780 are a pair of tapered members 800 and 810.
The tapered members 800, 810 include respective angled or tapered edges 820, 822, as shown clearly in
However, in some embodiments the tapered members 800, 810 may be formed as a single unified section.
In some embodiments, the edges 820,822 may include straight or linear edges, however in other embodiments, the edges 820,822 may include one or more curved sections. For example, in some embodiments the edges 820,822 may be concave, convex or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the tapered members 800,810 may abut each other at a corner edge, as shown in
In some embodiments, the guide apertures 826,828 are configured as rectangular openings to receive the tapered members 800,810. For example, the tapered members 800,810 may be anchored within the guide apertures 826,828 by friction fit. However, the tapered members 800,810 may be further anchored within the guide apertures 826,828 by welding the tapered members 800,810 to the lower retaining member 710, although other means of fixation may be used, including adhesive, screws, rivets, and the like. It should be appreciated that the guide apertures 826,828 may be arranged at any desired angle relative to each other including the angle “C” as previously discussed with regard to the tapered members 800, 810. Furthermore, the guide apertures 826, 828 and the aperture 780 are arranged as a single aperture, but in other embodiments may be configured as discrete apertures.
The lower retaining member 710 is attached to the upright member 300 by a boss 830, which extends from the inner surface 500 of the upright member 300, such as at a substantially right angle. However, any suitable angle may be used. Specifically, the boss 830 includes mounting apertures 840, 842 disposed therethrough, which are configured to be aligned with the apertures 782 and 784 provided by the lower retaining member 710, so that threaded fasteners 785, such as a nut and bolt, can be used to secure the lower retaining member 710 to the boss 830. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments the lower retaining member 710 may include a slot 844 for receiving the support rib 690 therein.
Thus, when the upper and lower retaining members 700,710 are attached to the upright member 300, the apertures 760 and 780 that are disposed in respective upper and lower retaining members 700, 710, are axially aligned with each other. Accordingly, the apertures 760 and 780 provided by the upper and lower retaining members 700, 710 serve to receive respective ends 652 and 654 of the carrying member 650 of the target member 100. As such, the target member 100 is permitted to pivot or rotate relative to the upright member 300.
It should be appreciated that the upper and lower retaining members 700, 710 may be formed of any suitable material, such as metal, including steel or aluminum, as well as alloys thereof: as well as plastic.
As shown in
As previously discussed, the pivot member 650 is terminated by opposed ends 652 and 654, which are configured to be received within the apertures 750,780 of each of the upper and lower retaining members 700,710. As such, when the pivot member is pivotably attached to the retaining members 700,710, the target member 100 is permitted to rotate or pivot, while the curved base edge 896 of the target member 100 simultaneously slides over flat surface of the tapered or angled edges 820,822 of the tapered members 800,810. Accordingly, the curved base edge 896 of the target member 100 and the flat surface of the tapered or angled edges 820,822 of the tapered members 800,810 serve as a virtual bearing, allowing for a fluid sliding movement of the target member over the tapered members 800,810, thereby preventing the target member 100 from becoming stuck as it moves, which is highly desirable.
The tapered edges 820,822 impart resistance to the curved base edge 896 and serves to impart a bias force to the target member 100 at either of the first and second set positions that define the end of the path of travel of the target member 100. For example, as a result of this bias force, the target member 100 is retained at a set position on one side of the upright member 300, where it is prevented from rotating to the other side of the upright member 300 by the tapered member 800 (first tapered member) that is closest to the current set position of the target member 100. However, when the target member 100 is directly struck by a projectile that is discharged by a firearm, the bias force of the first tapered member 800 is overcome, and the target member 100 is permitted to rotate from its current set position. Furthermore, as the target member 100 rotates over and past the first tapered member 800, the bias force imparted by the tapered member 810 (second tapered member) that is farthest from the initial set position of the target member 100, serves to urge the target member 100 toward its destination on the opposite side of the upright member 300. As such, the tapered members 800, 810 serve to ensure that the target member 100 is fully “set” at either of the two set positions, while ensuring that the target member 100 fully rotates to the other side of the upright member 300 when the target member 100 is struck by a direct hit of the projectile discharged from the firearm. While the example presented above describes the movement of the target member 100 when moving from one set position, the same functions occur when the target member 100 moves in the opposite direction from its other set position.
Accordingly, the tapered edges 820,822 of the tapered members 800,810 serve to urge or bias the target member 100 toward its ending set position once the base edge 896 of the target member 100 has reached its midpoint of rotation from its original position, and has moved past the apexes 824 of the tapered members 810,820, toward the opposite side of the upright member 300. This ensures that the target member 100 fully rotates to the opposite side of the upright member 300 without becoming stuck at or near the midpoint of the rotation of the target member 100, such that the target member 100 would be occluded or blocked from the view of the shooter by the upright member 300. In addition, the tapered edges 820,822 of the tapered members 800,810 serve to bias the target member 100 to one of two of its normal resting or set positions while it is awaiting being struck by a projectile.
It should be appreciated that the upper and lower retaining members 700,710 may be formed from any suitable material, such as metal, and alloys thereof; as well as plastic. The target assemblies 600 of the shooting target 10 may also include a stop 900 that extends from the inner surface 500 of the upright member 300. It should be appreciated that the stop 900 may extend from the upright member 300 at a substantially right angle, however, it should be appreciated that the stop 900 may be oriented at any suitable angle. The stop 900 may be attached to the upright member 300 using any suitable manner of fixation, such as welding or threaded fasteners, such as nuts and bolts, for example. In some embodiments, the stop 900 is positioned at any position between the upper and the lower retaining members 700,710. Specifically, the stop 900 includes stop members 910 and 912 that project from a base member 913. The stop members 910, 912 may be positioned on either side of the longitudinal axis of the support rib 690 of the upright member 300. As such, one stop member 910 is positioned near or proximate to one side of the upright member 300 and the other stop 912 is positioned proximate or near the other side of the upright member 900. The stop members 900,912 serve to position the target member 100 at a desirable set position after the target member 100 has completed its rotation from the opposite side of the upright member 300 as a result of being struck by a projectile. It should be appreciated that the target member 100 may be positioned by the stop members 910, 912 so that the base edge 896 of the target member rests upon one of the tapered members 800, 810 when the target member 100 is at a set position.
It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the stop members 900,912 are spaced from the outer ends of the tapered members 800,810, so as to form a gap therebetween. As such, when the target member 100 is at either of its two set positions, the base edge 896 of the target member 100 is positioned in the gap.
Furthermore, it is contemplated that one or more of the components of the shooting target 100 may be formed out of any suitable material, such as metal, including aluminum or steel, including hardened steel, as well as any other suitable material and alloys thereof. In some cases, one or more of the components of the shooting target 100 may be formed of plastic.
In some embodiments, one or more of the components of the shooting target 10 may be provided in an unassembled kit. That is, one or more of the base 400, the upright member 300, the upper and lower retaining members 700,710, the target members 100, and suitable fasteners may be provided in an unassembled kit. The kit may include the necessary instructions suitable for the user to assemble the target 10. The instructions may include printed instructions, as well as a link, such as a URL (uniform resource locator), which identifies to the virtual location of the instructions.
In order to place the shooting target 10 into operation, it is placed on a stable surface, such as the ground or a table. The shooting target 10 is positioned at a resting set position so that the outer surface 510 of the upright member 300 faces outward toward the shooter of the firearm. In one example, as shown in
Next, upon the discharge of a projectile from the firearm that strikes the surface 680 of the target face 660, the target member 100 is caused to rotate to the opposite right side of the upright member 300, also shown in
Therefore, it can be seen that the objects of the various embodiments disclosed herein have been satisfied by the structure and its method for use presented above.
While in accordance with the Patent Statutes, only the best mode and preferred embodiments have been presented and described in detail, with it being understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the embodiments, reference should be made to the following claims.
