TARGET STAND

Abstract

A portable target stand include a central bracket having a plurality of slots and holes and a plurality of legs with pins which rest in the holes so that the legs can pivot with respect to the central bracket.

Description

BACKGROUND

State of the Art

The present invention relates to stands used to hold targets used for target practice. More specifically, the present invention relates to target stands which are readily transportable and/or storable in a compact configuration.

Field of Art

In order to maintain proficiency in the use of firearms, it is common for law enforcement officers, members of the military, and sportsmen to engage in target practice. A wide variety of targets may be used to practice and improve various skills and shooting from a variety of positions.

It is often desirable to have the target system be portable. While a target may be used indoors, there are many times in which it is desirable to relocate the target to another location so that the environment, etc. in which the target is being used is different. For example, outdoors a much larger assembly of targets can be used to create a wide variety of scenarios which test and improve any number of skills. Also, it may be desirable to move targets around during training sessions to alter the scenario.

Many target systems are heavy and require multiple people to safely move the target. Additionally, many target systems are bulky and difficult to move in a vehicle which does not have an open bed or substantial room. It is desirable, however, to make a target system which is relatively light weight, and compactable so that it may be carried in a small space and easy to configure.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide a target stand which is easy to move, store and repair if the target stand gets damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following summary of the present disclosure is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every possible implementation of the invention, but rather to give illustrative examples of application of principles of the present disclosure. It will be understood that the invention is defined by the claims which ultimately issue.

In one or more embodiments, the invention may comprise a portable target system which has a central bracket for attaching a target or target support arm to the target stand.

In one or more embodiments, the central bracket may have a first plate and a second plate, and a support arm attached to the first plate and the second plate to hold the first plate and the second plate in a generally fixed orientation to one another.

In one or more embodiments, the central bracket may have a second arm attached to the first plate and the second plate, the second arm forming a handle for carrying the central bracket when not in use.

In one or more embodiments, the first plate may have a first portion having a plurality of holes for receiving pins of a plurality of legs and a second portion which is narrower than the first portion to allow the legs to pivot into a location where the legs extend along the first portion.

In one or more embodiments, the central portion may have a plurality of slots and a plurality of holes for enabling the attachment and holding of a plurality of legs to the central portion with all of the legs being pivotable with respect to the central portion.

In one or more embodiments, at least one leg may include a first pin which extends downwardly from a top of the leg and a second pin which extends downwardly near a bottom of the leg.

In one or more embodiments, at least one leg may include a first slot disposed adjacent the first pin and a second slot disposed adjacent the second pin.

In one or more embodiments, the central bracket may have a projection for limiting the extent to which one of the legs may pivot in one direction.

In one or more embodiments, a stop may be attached to the central bracket to limit the extent to which one of the legs may pivot in another direction.

In one or more embodiments, the central portion may have a first portion which is wider than it is long and a second portion which is longer than it is wide.

In one or more embodiments, the first portion, central portion may have a first hole and a second hole, the first hole and the second hole being spaced apart a distance which is the same as or greater than the width of the second portion.

These and other aspects of the present invention are realized in a target stand as shown and described in the following figures and related description. It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the invention may not include each aspect set forth above and aspects discussed above shall not be read into the claims unless specifically described therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described in reference to the numbered drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates perspective view of a central bracket of a target stand in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a target stand;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show stops which may be used to limit rotation of the legs of the target stand;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a first leg of a target stand;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a second leg of a target stand;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of an assembled target stand;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the assembled target stand;

FIG. 9 shows a close-up side view of the target stand in an assembled state; and

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the assembled target stand with a target support arm with target mounted in the target stand.

It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. It will be appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element and aspect of the present disclosure in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the various details of different aspects of the invention in greater clarity. Similarly, not all configurations or embodiments described herein or covered by the appended claims will include all of the aspects of the present disclosure as discussed above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed in reference to the numerals provided therein so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. The skilled artisan will understand, however, that the methods described below can be practiced without employing these specific details, or that they can be used for purposes other than those described herein. Indeed, they can be modified and can be used in conjunction with products and techniques known to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. The drawings and the descriptions thereof are intended to be exemplary of various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the drawings may show aspects of the present disclosure in isolation and the elements in one figure may be used in conjunction with elements shown in other figures.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment,” “one configuration,” “an embodiment,” or “a configuration” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment, etc. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places may not necessarily limit the inclusion of a particular element of the invention to a single embodiment, rather the element may be included in other or all embodiments discussed herein.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details may be provided, such as examples of products or manufacturing techniques that may be used, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of a target stand in accordance with the present disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments discussed in the disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Before the target stand is disclosed and described in detail, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to any particular structures, process steps, or materials discussed or disclosed herein, but is extended to include equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those of ordinarily skill in the relevant art. More specifically, the invention is defined by the terms set forth in the claims. It should also be understood that terminology contained herein is used for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the invention only and is not intended to limit the invention to the aspects or embodiments shown unless expressly indicated as such. Likewise, the discussion of any particular aspect of the invention is not to be understood as a requirement that such aspect is required to be present apart from an express inclusion of that aspect in the claims.

It should also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, singular forms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” may include the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a bracket” may include an embodiment having one or more of such brackets, and reference to “the target plate” may include reference to one or more of such target plates.

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result to function as indicated. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context, such that enclosing nearly all of the length of a lumen would be substantially enclosed, even if the distal end of the structure enclosing the lumen had a slit or channel formed along a portion thereof. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, structure which is “substantially free of” a bottom would either completely lack a bottom or so nearly completely lack a bottom that the effect would be effectively the same as if it completely lacked a bottom.

As used herein, the term “generally” refers to something that has characteristics of a quality without being exactly that quality. For example, a structure said to be generally vertical would be at least as vertical as horizontal, i.e., would extend 45 degrees or greater from horizontal. Likewise, something said to be generally circular may be rounded like an oval but need not have a consistent diameter in every direction.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint while still accomplishing the function associated with the range.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member.

Concentrations, amounts, proportions and other numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to about 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5, etc., as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually. This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value as a minimum or a maximum. Furthermore, such an interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range, or the characteristics being described.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a central bracket 10 of a target stand. The central bracket 10 may be formed from a first plate 14 and a second plate 18 which are attached together by a first support arm 22. The first support arm 22 may be welded (shown at 24a) to the first plate and the second plate or may be attached by a slotted attachment (shown at 24b). Each of the first plate 14 and the second plate 18 may have a first portion 26 which is wider than it is long (as considered from the orientation of the overall length of the plate) and a second portion 30 which is longer than it is wide. Outer sidewalls 38 of the first plate 14 and the second plate 18 along the second portion 30 may be linear and, as will be explained in additional detail below, provide a place for a pair of legs to rest while the portable target stand is being transported and/or stored.

A inner sidewall 32 may define a large void 34 formed in the first plate and the second plate to allow a target or target support arm (such as a 2×4) to be mounted in the central portion. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the inner sidewalls 32 defining the void 34 may define a generally rectangular shape. The first support arm 22 may be attached to the first plate 14 and the second plate 18 so that the first plate is offset along the length thereof from the second plate between about 10 and 25 degrees and most preferably about 15 degrees. Alternatively, the void 34 in the first plate 14 may be offset along its length about 10-25 degrees forward of the void 34 in the second plate 18. As shown in FIG. 1, this results in the void in the first plate beginning in the first portion 26 and extending into the second portion 30, while in the second plate 18, the void 34 begins at the end of the first portion and is disposed nearly completely in the second portion. The offsets between the voids 34 in the first plate 14 and the second plate 18 allows a target or target support arm 42 (FIG. 10) disposed therein to be positioned with a forward lean of 10-25% and most preferably about 15 degrees so that bullets filed at a target disposed at the forward lean deflects bullets downwardly, reducing the risk of backsplatter as shown in FIG. 10.

The first support arm 22 may include an extension 22a which extends below the void 34 in the second plate 18 to engage a target support arm when the target support arm is disposed in the voids in the first plate 14 and the second plate 18. In such a scenario, the target support arm will not engage the ground and move the portable target stand in response to bullets impacting targets attached to the target support arm as may happen if the target support arm rests on the ground.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is a second support arm 40 which may be attached to the first plate 14 and the second plate 18 at one end of the first portion 26. The second support arm 40 may provide support to the first plate 14 and the second plate 18 to hold them in a desired spaced orientation to one another. The second support arm 40 may also serve as a handle for carrying the central bracket 10 (and thus the entire target stand) when the portable target stand needs to be moved or stored.

Both of the first plate 14 and the second plate 18 include a plurality of holes 44 and a plurality of slots 48. As shown in FIG. 1, there may be two or more holes 44 with a slot 48 disposed adjacent each of the holes in the first portion 26. The slots 48 in the first portion 26 may extend inwardly from an end of the first portion 14 opposite the second portion 30. A single hole 44 may be disposed adjacent the end of the second portion 30 opposite the first portion 26, along with a slot 48.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is a projection 50 which extends outwardly adjacent the hole 44 and channel 48 in the second portion 30. As will be explained in additional detail below, the projection helps limit the rotation of a leg mounted in the hole 44.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a portable target stand, generally indicated at 4. The target stand 4 may include the central bracket 10 and a plurality of legs 60. Two legs 60a may have a first length and may be configured for attachment to the first portion 26 (which commonly may be oriented toward a person shooting at a target), while a third leg 60b may have a second length, shorter than the first length, for attachment to the second portion 30.

Each of the legs 60a, 60b may include a top surface 60c and a first, inner end 60d and a second, outer end 60e opposite the inner end. The legs 60 may also include a foot 62 adjacent the second outer end 60e. The foot 62 may have a serrated bottom.

Each of the legs 60 may include a first projection or pin 64, which may extend downwardly below the top surface 60c of one or more of the legs 60. Disposed adjacent the first pin 64 may be a first slot 68 which extends from the first inner end 60d of the leg 60 toward the opposing second outer end 60e. The length of the slot 68 may be a distance slightly greater than the distance between the holes 44 in the first plate 14 and the second plate 18 from an outer edge of the plates adjacent the holes. The slots 68 are typically slightly larger from top to bottom than the thickness of the first plate 14.

Each of the legs 60a, 60b may also have a second projection or pin 72 disposed along the inner end 60d and a slot 76 disposed adjacent the second projection, the slot extending toward the opposing outer end 62 and away from the inner end a distance which is slightly greater than the distance between the holes 44 and the sidewalls of the second plate 18. To use the target stand 4, the legs 60 are positioned in alignment with the slots 48 adjacent the holes 40 at a height where the first pin 64 is disposed just higher than or on top of the first plate 14 and the second pin 72 is disposed just higher than or on top of the second plate 18. The inner end 60d of the arm is advanced into the slots 48 until first pin 64 is disposed above a hole 44 in the first plate 14 and the second pin 72 is disposed above a corresponding hole 44 in the second plate 18. The arm 60 is then moved relative to the central bracket 10 so that the pins 64, 72 are moved into the holes. The arm 60 can then be pivoted to either side, wherein a small area of the first plate 14 is disposed in the slot 68 and a small area of the plate 18 is disposed in the slot 76. This allows the legs 60 to be rotated in either direction until meeting an obstruction and holds the legs onto the central bracket 10.

For the rear leg 60b, rotation in one direction can be stopped by the projection 50 at the end of the second portion 30. In a presently preferred embodiment, the projection 50 is located to provide the rear leg 60b with 2.5-10 degrees of rotation beyond the longitudinal axis of the central bracket. The slot 48a in the first plate 14 and the second plate 18 can also be disposed at a distance from the longitudinal axis of the central bracket to allow rotation of the rear leg 60b of about 2.5-10 degrees in the other direction if an obstruction, such as a stop 80 (shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4), is inserted into one or more of the slots 48a. Alternatively, a bolt could be inserted into the slot 48a, or an additional hole provided for a bolt to limit rotation of the arm 60b in that direction.

Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are shown side views of stops 80 which may be used to limit rotation of the legs 60. The stops 80 may include a body 84 and one or more slots 88 which may be aligned with one or more of the slots 48 on the central bracket. With one of the stops 80 inserted into one of the slots 48 on the either of the first plate 14 or the second plate 18, the associated arm 60 cannot be rotated into the slot. Most commonly, a stop 80 would be used in conjunction with the rear leg 60b to keep the pivoting of the rear leg within desired ranges. However, the stops could also be used to restrict limitation of either of the front legs 60a beyond the associated slot 48.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a leg 60a. The first pin 64 and first slot 68 are shown toward the top end of the inner end 60d, and the second pin 72 and second slot 76. The orientation of the first plate 14 and the second plate 18 are shown with dashed lines representative of when the leg 60a is attached to the central bracket 10 (FIG. 1). Also shown in FIG. 5 are a number of cutouts 84 in the leg 60a which reduce the weight of the leg.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of leg 60b. The first pin 64 and first slot 68 are shown toward the top side 60c of the inner end 60d, and the second pin 72 and second slot 72 are disposed near the bottom side 60f. The leg 60b is mounted on the central bracket 10 in a similar way to that of leg 60a discussed previously.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of an assembled target stand 4. When not in use, the arms 60a can be pivoted (i.e., pins rotated in the holes) so that the arms are moved into the position shown in FIG. 7 by the dashed lines 60a′ which extend along the sidewalls 38 along the central bracket 10, or the target stand 4 can be carried by simply grabbing the handle 40 and lifting with the arms 60a rotating may rotating back into the position shown by arms 60a′ simply due to their own weight. The target stand 4 can be placed in storage as is. Alternatively, one or all of the legs 60 may be removed for storage, or in the event that a leg gets damaged.

When the target stand 4 is needed for use, the legs 60a are either reattached or simply rotated back into the position shown in the lower half of FIG. 7. The target support (FIG. 10) may be inserted and within a manner of seconds, the target stand 4 is ready for use.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the assembled target stand 4. The two longer legs 60a will typically be disposed so that the handle 40 is facing the shooter, with leg 60b being disposed so as to extend outwardly in an orientation generally opposite the shooter. The legs 60a, 60b, when engaged, hold the central bracket 10 above the ground and provide a secure stand for targets or target arms to be inserted into the voids 34 just in front of the support arm 22. The numerous openings and cut-outs 84 make for a target stand which is relatively light weight and easy to move.

It will be appreciated that while the legs 60a can be folded back as shown in FIG. 7, each of the legs can be easily removed, either for more compact storage, or to replace a damaged leg or central bracket. This can be accomplished by simply rotating the leg into alignment with the slot (not visible in FIG. 8) adjacent the hole 44 in which the leg is pivoting, and then lifting upwardly enough the that pins (not visible in FIG. 8) of the leg lift out of the holes 44. Thus, in a manner of seconds all of the legs can be removed.

FIG. 9 shows a closeup view of the central bracket 10. The extension 22a of the first support arm 22 is shown extending forward to receive a 2×4 or other target or target support arm and hold the same above the ground so that impact from bullets do not cause the target stand to “walk”—i.e., move rearwardly when target or target support arm extending through the voids 34 is deflected by the impact of a bullet.

It can be seen in FIG. 9 how the pins 64 and 72 extend down and through the first plate 14 and the second plate 18 respectively and how a portion of the first plate is disposed in the slot 68 toward the top of the legs (with the first plate resting on the bottom wall defining the slot), while a portion of the second plate is disposed in the slot 76 adjacent the bottom of the legs and near the pin 72 (with the second plate resting on the bottom wall defining the slot 76).

It will be appreciated that the target stand 4 can be sold as a completed unit, in a kit which includes the central bracket and the legs, or as individual parts which the user attaches together as explained above to create the target stand.

Turning no to FIG. 10, there is shown a view of the target stand 4 with a target support 42 disposed in the voids 34 in the first plate and the second place. The target support 42 may be a 2×4 piece of wood or other structure. The bottom of the target support 42 may be engaged by the extension 22a extending from the bottom of the target support arm 22 to limit the distance the target support extends through the voids and to prevent it from resting directly on the ground if so desired. A target 46 may be disposed at an opposing end of the target support 42, or at any location along the target support above the target stand 42.

Thus, there is disclosed a portable target stand. It will be appreciated that numerous modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. The appended claims are intended to cover such modifications.

Claims

1. A central bracket for a target stand comprising: a first plate having an inner sidewall defining a void, the first plate further defining a plurality of holes and at least one slot extending inwardly from a lateral exterior edge of the first plate;a second plate having a void and a plurality of holes and at least one slot extending inwardly from a lateral exterior end of the first plate, the second plate being disposed below the first plate; anda support arm attached to the first plate and the second plate for holding the first plate and the second plate in a spaced relationship.

2. The central bracket for a target stand of claim 1, further comprising a second support arm attached to the first plate and the second plate.

3. The central bracket for a target stand of claim 2, wherein the second support arm is attached to an end of the first plate and an end of the second plate so as to form a handle.

4. The central bracket for a target stand of claim 1, wherein the support arm comprises an extension extending below the void in the second plate.

5. The central bracket for a target stand of claim 1, wherein the first plate has a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first portion has at least two holes of the plurality of holes and at least two slots and wherein the second portion has at least one hole of the plurality of holes and at least one slot.

6. The central bracket for a target stand of claim 5, further comprising a projection disposed adjacent to one slot of the at least two slots in the second portion.

7. A target stand comprising the central bracket of claim 1, and further comprising at least three legs, and wherein the at least three legs comprise a first leg having at a top and a first pin extending downwardly from a position adjacent the top.

8. The target stand according to claim 7, wherein the first leg has a slot formed therein adjacent the first pin, the slot extending generally perpendicular to the first pin.

9. The target stand according to claim 7, wherein the first leg comprises a second pin disposed adjacent a bottom of the first leg, the second pin extending downwardly.

10. The target stand according to claim 9, wherein the first leg comprises a second slot disposed adjacent the second pin, the slot being disposed generally perpendicular to the second pin.

11. The target stand according to claim 10, wherein the second plate has a thickness and wherein the second slot in the first leg has a height, the height of the second slot being larger than the thickness of the second plate.

12. The target stand according to claim 9, wherein the at least three legs further comprises a second leg, the second leg having a first pin and a second pin and wherein the first leg and the second leg can rotate more than 100 degrees when the first pin of the first leg and the first pin of the second leg are disposed in holes formed in the central bracket.

13. The target stand according to claim 12, wherein the at least three legs further comprises a third leg and wherein the target stand further comprises a stop in disposed in a slot in at least one of the first plate and the second plate to limit pivoting of the third leg to between 5 and 20 degrees.

14. The target stand according to claim 13, wherein the first leg, the second leg and the third leg are all disposed generally parallel to one another.

15. The target stand according to claim 1, wherein the at least slot comprises a plurality of slots, and wherein each slot of the plurality of slots in the first plate extend inwardly from an exterior perimeter of the first plate toward a hole in the first plate.

16. A target stand comprising: a central bracket having a first plate having a plurality of holes and an inner sidewall defining a void and at least one slot extending inwardly from a lateral exterior edge of the first plate; and a second plate having a void and a plurality of holes and at least one slot extending inwardly from a lateral exterior end of the first plate, the second plate being disposed below the first plate; and a support arm attached to the first plate and the second plate for holding the first plate and the second plate in a spaced relationship;a first leg releasably attachable to the first plate and the second plate;a second leg releasably attachable to the first plate and the second plate; anda third leg releasably attachable to the first plate and the second plate.

17. The target stand of claim 16, wherein the first leg has a first projection disposed in a hole in the first plate and a second projection disposed in a hole in the second plate.

18. The target stand of claim 17, wherein the second leg has a first projection disposed in a hole of the first plate, and a second projection disposed in a hole of the second plate, and wherein the first leg has a first projection disposed in a hole of the first plate, and a second projection disposed in a hole of the second plate.

19. The target stand of claim 16, wherein the first leg, the second leg and the third leg are pivotably attached to the central bracket and further comprising a stop for limiting movement of the third leg.

20. The target stand of claim 16, further comprising a handle attached to the first plate and the second plate.