Tab for Attaching Reactive Object to Shooting Target

Abstract

A mounting tab configured to secure reactive or destructible target such as a clay pigeon or clay target commonly used for skeet and trap sports against a target or substrate to augment the existing function of the target with a visual reaction once struck by a projectile in the specific area of the underlying target superimposed by the clay pigeon. The mounting tab is comprised of a flat, flexible and penetrable material with a folding shelf formed of a fully and partially perforated portion of the material and thereby forms to provide support to the clay pigeon along the interior inside edge once hung using the force of gravity. Once this initial support is established, an additional security flap can be then engaged to provide force to retain the clay pigeon flat against the target and maintain its position on the shelf.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns an apparatus which provides support for a reactive or destructive target such as a clay pigeon or clay target as is commonly available and used in various skeet and trap shooting sports, and more specifically concerns establishing a support interface device for affixing a clay pigeon target in a fixed position flat against a substrate or target to provide for the addition of a reactive element to the target.

Background of the Invention

Prior to the disclosed invention, prior art would provide for attachment of a destructible object such as a clay pigeon to be stuck into the ground, hung from a line or a tree, or would require pre-drilling of holes into a target or substrate. Some prior embodiments use specific cardboard cutouts that would preclude the use of paper targets over the required structure provided by the fold out cardboard design. Others use spring metal to interface with target surface creating a significant secondary projectile hazard to the shooter and nearby persons. Other limitations of prior art include creating a distance or gap between the finally suspended clay pigeon and existing target which presents parallax issues by the shooter when engaged from oblique angles, where the clay pigeon no longer corresponds to a specific underlying target area that is desired to be represented with a reactive effect. Prior art focuses on suspending clay pigeons in various ways for recreation purposes, rather than augmenting currently functional and established targets designed for marksmanship and tactical training. The present invention is the only embodiment to allow a clay pigeon to be affixed flat against a target using a penetrable tab using an adhesive or common staples.

SUMMARY

A mounting tab configured to hold a destructible target in one embodiment such as a clay pigeon having an inside edge, a front face, a first top edge and a second top edge, which in combination form the outer “rim” of the clay pigeon whose established dimensions are required to interface with prolific existing “throwing” devices currently used. The mounting tab has an integral “shelf” that folds out to support the clay pigeon using the interior edge of the clay pigeon. A security flap is integral to the tab and is configured to interface with the front face, first top edge and second top edge to hold the clay pigeon against the target. The mounting tab supports the clay pigeon against the target to facilitate shooting at the clay target while suspended over existing target or substrate for achieving a visual reaction effect of a projectile striking the indicated area as superimposed on underlying target.

The common availability and low cost of clay pigeons as one embodiment of the invention provides for a mass-produced readily available and low-cost destructible object that is the preferred embodiment for larger quantities but can be employed with other destructible objects.

In some embodiments, the mounting tab with mounted clay pigeon is used as part of a system of training and instruction wherein the size of the clay pigeon represents an approximate size that would require specific skill to hit, particularly as distance increases from the shooter.

In some embodiments, the mounting tab with mounted clay pigeon is used as part of a system of training for tactical personnel requiring visual feedback once striking a specific area within a human silhouette to end a confrontation as quickly as possible by causing damage to vital area of body.

In some embodiments, the mounting tab with mounted clay pigeon is used as part of a system of training requiring visual feedback to the marksman and others to produce an element of stress on the marksman while shooting drill requires a hit within a specific target area.

Immediate visual feedback to the shooter and others as part of a shooting system brings additional training value to marksmanship training not previously easily achievable without the use of steel targets which presents significant safety concerns and are not commonly used inside 10 meters. For tactical training application, such as military, law enforcement and competitive shooting matches such as “3-Gun”, this limitation eliminates steel as a safe for very relevant training distances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention are made in the “Detailed Description” sections with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention shown in use.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the invention shown in use.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention shown in use.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention shown in use.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the invention shown in use with the omission of the target or substrate entirely to show the mounting method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

With further reference to the drawings, one embodiment of the present invention is shown therein and indicated generally by the number 10. As will be appreciated from other portions of the disclosure, the mounting tab 10 is adapted to be used to hold destructible targets for marksmanship training. The embodiment addressed herein is stapled or otherwise adhered to a target or substrate 17.

A mounting tab 10 may be constructed of various materials, but it is contemplated that in one embodiment it would be constructed of a thin, flexible and penetrable material that will not shatter with projectile impact. Alternative materials could also be used. The embodiment herein illustrated is manufactured using the established process that is used to make plant tags place in soil or attached to foliage of plants, trees and shrubs for retail sale. Other fabrication methods could be used. The thickness or gauge of the material utilized for the mounting tab 10 can vary to suit various types of applications and weights of destructible targets.

Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a mounting tab 10 is pictured. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the mounting tab 10 from the front. FIG. 2 shows a direct view of the mounting tab 10 from the front. The mounting tab 10 is comprised of a support shelf 11 that folds out due to perforations or other method of deliberate material weakening so as to be able to easily fold out to support a destructible target, a security flap 12 that can be folded out to engage the destructible target with pressure toward the mounting target or substrate, a stapling point below the support shelf 13, another stapling point above the support shelf 14, and an apex integral to the design of the mounting tab so as to indicate the center point of an attached destructible target such as a clay pigeon.

FIG. 2 introduces one embodiment of the present invention as mounted against an exemplary target 19 printed with a common scoring system wherein rings are presented to clearly delineate sections which are closer to an absolute center area commonly referred to as a “bullseye” 20. In this example, the mounting tab with an exemplary indexing point 16 that is aligned with the Bullseye 20 and is then secured to the exemplary target 19 with a lower stable 13 and an upper staple 14. A support shelf 11 can then be folded out due to perforations or other deliberate material weakening 15 in preparation for mounting a clay pigeon.

FIG. 3 introduces one embodiment of the invention as mounted against a target or substrate 17, in this case with staples at two points one below 13, and one above 14, the folding mounting shelf 11, with an exemplary destructible target attached 18, a security flap 12, folded out and engaged with the destructible target 18 to secure it onto the support shelf and against the target 17.

FIG. 4 presents one embodiment of the invention from a top view as mounted against a target 17, with an exemplary destructible target attached 18, a security flap 12, folded out and engaged with the destructible target 18 to secure the destructible target onto the support shelf (not visible in this view) and against the target 17.

FIG. 5 presents one embodiment of the invention from a side view as mounted against a target 17, with an exemplary destructible target attached 18, a security flap 12, folded out and engaged with the destructible target 18 onto the support shelf (not visible in this view) and against the target 17.

FIG. 6 presents one embodiment of the invention from the opposite side view as mounted against a target 17, with an exemplary destructible target attached 18, a security flap 12, folded out and engaged with the destructible target 18 onto the support shelf (not visible in this view) and against the target 17.

FIG. 7 presents one embodiment of a mounting tab 10 from the rear oblique view with target or substrate deliberately eliminated to provide a view of the interface of the folded support shelf 11 interfacing with the interior edge of an exemplary destructible object mounted, in this case a clay pigeon 18 as it would be mounted against a target. The upper staple point 14 is included for reference, however lower staple point has been removed from figure to clearly present the support shelf 11.

In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

The following claims are to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, and what can be obviously substituted. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples above.

Claims

1. A method for affixing a visually reactive object to an existing substrate or target to add a reaction element to a shooter's projectile impact of a designated target area of an underlying target as superimposed by the reactive object which visually reacts upon kinetic impact.

2. A method for the employment of small sized circle targets for training in marksmanship, requiring skill from the shooter to engage the small targets at varying distances to then be verified during an evaluation with the method for affixing the reactive object of claim 1 wherein the shooter is finally evaluated on the ability to successfully disrupt the visually reactive object.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactive object is destructible upon impact.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactive object is a clay pigeon.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the clay pigeon particles driven to high velocities leave an indicating mark on the underlying target or substrate that serve to indicate which projectile was responsible for destructing the clay pigeon by the clay debris splatter around the hole created by responsible projectile as none of the holes surrounding the area of the clay pigeon left before or after destruction, nor the holes left in the area of the clay pigeon after destruction will have clay splatter.

6. A mounting tab configured to affix a reactive object against a surface comprising: a. A flat portion adapted to be affixed to an underlying target or substrate to allow the reactive object to be mounted flat against surface.b. Provides a support shelf that folds outward from the mounting tab to interface with and support the reactive object.

7. The mounting tab of claim 6, wherein the reactive object is destructible.

8. The mounting tab of claim 6, wherein the reactive object is a clay pigeon.

9. The mounting tab of claim 6, wherein the flat portion is affixed to a target or substrate using a staple without requiring drilling of a hole.

10. The mounting tab of claim 6, wherein the flat portion is affixed to a target or substrate using a plurality of staples without requiring drilling of a hole.

11. The mounting tab of claim 6, wherein a further portion of the material of the flat portion folds out as a security flap to hold the reactive object against the underlying target or substrate and maintain its position on the support shelf and provides stability.

12. The mounting tab of claim 6, wherein a further portion of the material of the flat portion folds out as a security flap to hold the reactive object against the underlying target or substrate and maintain its position on the support shelf and provides stability.

13. The mounting tab of claim 6, wherein the flat portion is affixed to a target or substrate using adhesive.

14. The mounting tab of claim 6, wherein material of construction is thin, flexible and penetrable, allowing a common staple to penetrate material.

15. The mounting tab of claim 6, wherein the total materials affixed to the target once reactive object is fully suspended does not include a hard metal object larger than a staple, which is already commonly used on targets, that could become secondary projectiles and pose a danger to a nearby shooter.

16. The mounting tab of claim 6, further comprising an integral feature to index placement of the mounting tab upon the target or substrate to provide reaction element to a shooter of where a reactive object will be centered or the area it will cover or superimpose itself upon once reactive object is finally affixed.

17. The support shelf comprised in the mounting tab of claim 8, further comprised of a plurality of flexible wings on the support shelf that when contact is made with the interior inside edge of the clay pigeon, the weight bends the flexible material of the wings to match the rounded form of the inside edge of the clay pigeon and provides an increased contact area.

18. A method for employing existing manufacturing methods for commonly available plant tags already composed of well-suited plastic material, for the purpose of affixing objects to a substrate for the purpose of marksmanship or tests of martial or tactical skill.