Patent Application
20240377166
This disclosure generally relates to target shooting and, more particularly, to thermal targets and related equipment.
Target shooting is a sport enjoyed by many gun and weapon enthusiasts. Shooting targets come in many different types, sizes, and forms. Improvements to existing target systems to provide different targeting options are desirable.
In the following disclosure, novel systems for providing heat signature producing shooting targets are provided.
In some embodiments, the shooting target comprises a body portion having a front surface and a back surface, a front zone on the front surface of the body portion, the front zone adapted for use as a target area, and a rear zone on the back surface of the body portion, the rear zone configured to receive one or more heating elements that contact and/or otherwise transfer heat to the body portion of the shooting target to generate a heat signature in the infrared range. The one or more heating elements comprise a chemical heating packet.
In some embodiments, the chemical heating packet is secured to the back surface of the body portion.
In some embodiments, the chemical heating packet is secured to the back surface of the body portion by an adhesive.
In some embodiments, the chemical heating packet is secured to the back surface of the body portion by a mechanical connection.
In some embodiments, the rear zone comprises a pocket for receiving the one or more heating elements.
In some embodiments, the one or more heating elements have a smaller volume than a volume of the pocket.
In some embodiments, the chemical heating packet comprises a flexible pouch containing a mixture of chemicals capable of generating heat when activated.
In some embodiments, the pocket is integrally formed with the back surface of the body portion.
In some embodiments, the pocket is mechanically connected to the back surface of the body portion.
In some embodiments, the one or more heating elements have a first shape and the body portion of the shooting target has a second shape and the first and second shapes are generally the same geometric shape.
In some embodiments, the first shape and/or the second shape is round.
In some embodiments, the first shape and/or the second shape is rectangular.
For purposes of this description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments of this disclosure are described herein. The described methods, systems, and apparatus should not be construed as limiting in any way. Features, characteristics, and/or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The disclosure is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The disclosure extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus can be used in conjunction with other systems, methods, and apparatus.
The explanations of terms and abbreviations herein are provided to better describe the present disclosure and to guide those of ordinary skill in the art in the practice of the present disclosure. As used herein, “comprising” means “including” and the singular forms “a” or “an” or “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” refers to a single element of stated alternative elements or a combination of two or more elements, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
As used herein, the term “and/or” used between the last two of a list of elements means any one of, or any combination e of, the listed elements. For example, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means “A,” “B,” “C,” “A and B,” “A and C,” “B and C,” or “A, B, and C.”
As used herein, the terms “attached” and “coupled” generally mean physically connected or linked, and do not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the attached/coupled items unless specifically stated to the contrary.
Unless explained otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described below. The materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Other features of the disclosure are apparent from the detailed description, claims, abstract, and drawings.
Heating member 100 can comprise a chemical heating packs that is sized to be received on the shooting target. Heating member 100 can be a disposable packet that generates heat through an exothermic chemical reaction. In some embodiments, the heating member 100 can comprise a flexible plastic pouch filled with a mixture of chemicals, such as iron, water, salt, and activated carbon, that when the packet is exposed to air or a small amount of water, the chemicals react and produce heat.
The amount of heat produced by heating member 100 can vary, but is preferably sufficient to generate a heat signature with an infrared scope (e.g., a thermal imaging scope). Infrared scopes are scopes that utilize lenses that focus the infrared radiation emitted by objects (such as the shooting target) onto a detector, which is typically made of a material such as indium antimonide (InSb) or mercury cadmium telluride (MCT). This detector converts the incoming infrared radiation into an electrical signal, which is then processed by an electronic circuit to create an image. The resulting image in the scope shows the temperature differences between objects in the field of view, with hotter objects appearing brighter and cooler objects appearing darker.
The amount of heat provided by the heating member can vary. For example, in some embodiments, the heating member can reach temperatures of between 10° and 160° F. depending on the specific formulation and size of the heating member. In some embodiments, the heating member can reach and maintain a minimum temperature of 110° F., 120° F., or 130° for a minimum period of at least 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or 60 minutes.
The heating member 100 can have a shape that coordinates with and/or otherwise can be positioned on a rear surface 101 of the shooting target 102 without being exposed to a shooter. That is, the heating member 100 preferably is attached to the rear surface of the shooting target 102 so that any projectile directed at the target cannot directly impact the heating member.
The heating member 100 can be affixed to the rear surface of the shooting target 102 by any suitable means. In some embodiments, an adhesive can be used, such as an adhesive applied to the heating member that can be exposed by removing a strip covering the adhesive. In other embodiments, a mechanical fastener can be used, such as a hook which an opening in the structure of the heating member 100 can be placed on. Alternatively, the target can comprise a pocket on the rear surface of the shooting target which can receive a heating member.
For example,
The size and shape of the heating member 100 can vary. As shown in
As shown in
The shooting targets 102 shown in
In some embodiments, the attachment surface area (area in contact with the shooting target) of the heating member has a first surface area and the rear surface area of the shooting target has a second surface area. The first surface area is less than the rear surface area. In some embodiments, the first surface area is less than 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50% of the second surface area. That is, the heating member generates a heat signature that is less than 50% of the total target area, and in some cases, much less (e.g., 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% less).
In other embodiments, the first surface area is larger, such as 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the second surface area. In these embodiments, the entire target may have a heat signature from contact with the heating member.
Although chemical heating packets are disclosed; it should be understood that other heat-generating system can be used, at least with some embodiments. For example, a heated water pack may be suitable for use with a target that has a pocket that can receive that pack. However, the weight of the heated water pack may be great to be used with certain embodiments, such as with pressure sensitive adhesives.
One exemplary method of attaching a chemical heat packet to a shooting target comprises: (1) selecting a shooting target with a flat surface that matches the size and shape of the heat packet, or at least is large enough to prevent the heat packet from being exposed on a front side; (2) opening the chemical heat packet and activating it according to the instructions provided, which may involve shaking the packet to mix the chemicals inside and exposing it to air; (3) attaching the activated heat packet to the shooting target by an adhesive (e.g., pressing it firmly onto the surface with a pressure sensitive adhesive) and/or using a mechanical connection or support pocket; (4) ensuring that the packet is securely attached and won't fall off when the target is hit; and (5) allowing the heat packet to generate heat as it reacts with the chemicals inside, creating a warm spot (visible with, for example, an infrared scope) on the target.
In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosure may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only examples and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Rather, the scope of the disclosure is defined by the entire contents of this description and the accompanying drawing figures, and additionally by the following claims, as they would be recognized and understood by a person having an ordinary level of skill in the relevant art.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/501,637, filed May 11, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63501637 | May 2023 | US |
