TARGET RETAINING DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a target retainer device for adhering a target to a substrate for a variety of target and substrate types. The target retainer includes an impact-hold-resistant shaft to ensure the target remains in place during impact over multiple uses but can be easily inserted and removed from a substrate or a substrate covering or exterior to allow for reuse. The target retainer is available in multiple lengths for the best performance and ease of use based on substrates or substrate coverings or exteriors.

Claims

1. A target retainer configured to retain a target to a target substrate, the target retainer comprising: a head; a shaft; and a tip, wherein the shaft couples the head to the tip; and wherein the shaft has an impact-hold-resistance feature arranged to removably secure the target retainer in the target substrate.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the head has a finger grip.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the head is formed in a parabolic shape.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the head is formed in a triangular shape.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the head has an eyelet.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the serrated blades extend the length of the shaft.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the impact-hold-resistance feature is two or more serrated blades extending a portion of the length of the shaft.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the tip is removable.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the head is removable.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the head, shaft, tip, and impact-hold-resistance feature are made as one continuous structure.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein one or more of the head, shaft, tip, and impact-hold-resistance feature is/are made of a non-metallic material.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein one or more of the head, shaft, tip, and impact-hold-resistance feature is/are made of a metallic material.

13. A target retainer configured to retain a target to a target substrate, the target retainer comprising: a head, wherein the head has a finger grip; a shaft; and a tip, wherein the shaft couples the head to the tip.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the head is formed in a parabolic shape.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein the head is formed in a triangular shape.

16. The device of claim 13 wherein the head has an eyelet.

17. The device of claim 13 wherein the tip is removable.

18. The device of claim 13 wherein the head is removable.

19. The device of claim 13 wherein the head, shaft, and tip are made as one continuous structure.

20. The device of claim 13 wherein one or more of the head, shaft, and tip is/are made of a non-metallic material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of the target retainer of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of set of target retainers of the present invention in use with a target and target substrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0021] A target retaining device 10 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-4. The device 10 has a head 1, a shaft 4, and a tip 6. The head 1 has an optional eyelet 2, an optional finger grip 3, and an end 9. The shaft 4 has a plurality of impact-hold-resistance features such as optional serrated blades 5. FIG. 5 depicts a plurality of the target retaining devices 10 of the present invention in use with a target 7 and target substrate 8. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of the devices may be used to secure the target 7 to the target substrate 8. Alternatively, a single one of the devices 10 may be used to retain the target 7 to the substrate 8.

[0022] The optional eyelet 2 of the head 1 provides a method by which the user may insert a finger or other device to insert or remove the device 10 into or from the target 7 and the target substrate 8. The optional finger grip 3 of the head 1 is arranged to provide an added gripping surface to facilitate insertion or removal of the device 10. The eyelet 2 and finger grip 3 are designed to provide an ergonomic method and improve the ease with which the device 10 may be inserted or removed. Additionally, the optional eyelet 2 of the head 1 provides a method in which the user may attach an object or plurality of objects to the device 10.

[0023] The head 1 of the device 10 may be shaped in a parabolic, arcuate, triangular, or other shape designed to deflect a projectile if the device 10 is struck. When the device 10 is inserted into the substrate 8, the end 9 of the head 1 is closest to and facing the user, with the head 1 protruding from the substrate 8 and the shaft 4 and tip 6 removably engaged with the substrate 8. FIG. 2 depicts the head 1 of the device 10 in an arcuate configuration. If the head 1 of the device 10 is struck by a projectile from the user's direction, the head 1 shape is designed to be angled or curved rather than flat to ensure that the projectile is deflected away from the device 10 and into the surrounding target 7 or target substrate 8 rather than rebounding to the user. The deflection of the projectile serves to minimize damage the projectile, the user, and the device 10.

[0024] The tip 6 of the device 10 may be fabricated of a plastic material, metal, other hard substance, or any combination thereof suitable for piercing substrates of various densities. The tip 6 pierces the target 7 and the target substrate 8, allowing the device 10 to be inserted into the target substrate 8 to secure the target 7 and hold the target 7 in place during impact of projectile(s). The tip 6 may be, fixed, removable or replaceable. FIG. 2 depicts the device 10 with a tip 6 that may be reinforced or removable. The device 10 may be formed by combining distinct pieces of the head 1, shaft 4, tip 6, and impact-hold resistance feature in the form of serrated blades 5. Alternatively, the device 10 may be formed with one or more of the head 1, shaft 4, tip 6, and serrated blades 5 as a singular, continuous material. FIG. 3 depicts the device 10 with the tip 6 formed of a singular, continuous material with the shaft 4 and the serrated blades 5.

[0025] The shaft 4 of the device 10 couples the head 1 and the tip 6. The shaft 4 is designed to provide the length necessary for the device 10 to be inserted to the target substrate 8 to sufficiently secure the target 7. The shaft 4 may be equipped with a multitude of serrated blades 5. The serrated blades 5 provide support when the device 10 is inserted into the target 7 and target substrate 8 to anchor the device 10 to the target substrate 8, substrate covering, or substrate exterior. The serrated blades 5 may be located along the entire length of the shaft 4 or may be located on a portion of the shaft 4. FIG. 4 depicts the device 10 with three serrated blades 5. The device 10 may be formed with more or fewer blades 5. The shaft 4 may secure the head 1 and tip 6 together while the blades 5 are attached about the shaft 4, either permanently, removably, or as a unitary construct.

[0026] FIG. 5 depicts the present invention 10 in use with a target 7 and target substrate 8. As depicted, the device 10 is inserted through the target 7 and into the target substrate 8. The tip 6 of the device 10 pierces the target 7 when the device 10 is inserted into the target substrate 8, substrate covering, or exterior to allow the shaft 4 to be anchored via the blades 5 into the target substrate 8. The impact-hold-resistance feature as the example serrated blades 5 provide anchoring of the device 10 to the substrate 8. The head 1 of the device 10 is configured to remain accessible for the user to remove the device 10 and target 7 from the substrate 8 as desired. The head 1 is configured with a shape designed to deflect a projectile if the device 10 is struck when in use to minimize damage to the projectile and the device 10.

[0027] In another embodiment, the device 10 may be formed with a head 1, a shaft 4, and a tip 6. The head 1 is formed with an ergonomic finger grip 3. The head 1 may be shaped in an angular or arcuate configuration. The head 1 may also have an optional eyelet 2. The optional eyelet 2 may also be used to secure a label, tag, or ribbon. In another embodiment, the device 10 may be used to hang a target 7 using the optional eyelet 2 and a method of fastening the target 7 to the eyelet 2, such as a string, wire, or other method of adherence.

[0028] The present invention has been described with reference to specific examples and configurations. It is only intended to be limited to the description set out in the claims and equivalents.