System for portable and safe shooting targets

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for a shooting target with improved portability and safety over existing devices. The target uses a pin system for storing the legs, which are easily removed and used to form a base. In addition, accessories are described for a shooting target system and method such as a wheel base, side targets, a swinging “dueling target” system, and “popper” side targets.

Claims

1. A shooting target comprising: a) a main body including: a. a post portion with two pinholes located on the post portion; b. a target portion; c. a bottom portion that includes two slots located at approximately symmetrical positions relative to a vertical center line of a front surface of the post portion; b) a first leg coupled to a second leg via a hinge assembly, wherein: a. the first and second legs each include pinholes; b. the first leg is configured to be folded onto the second leg via the hinge assembly such that at least two pinholes on the first leg are relatively aligned with at least two pinholes on the second leg, and the aligned pinholes on the first and second legs are alignable with the two pinholes on the post portion for securing the folded legs to the post portion with pins; c. the first and second legs are configured to be unfolded at the hinge to form an angle and to be slidably inserted into the slots of the bottom portion to form a base for the shooting target; and d. wherein a deflection angle for the target portion is adjustable by sliding the unfolded legs into different positions in the slots of the bottom portion.

2. The shooting target of claim 1, wherein the deflection angle for the shooting target is adjustable between 15 and 20 degrees from perpendicular when the shooting target is placed on level ground.

3. The shooting target of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly comprises: a) a male connector welded to the first leg; b) a female connector welded to the second leg; c) a thrust washer placed between the male connector and female connector; and d) a lock nut screwed onto a portion of the male connector to secure the female connector.

4. The shooting target of claim 1, wherein the main body and first and second legs comprise AR-500 or AR-550 steel.

5. The shooting target of claim 1, wherein each leg includes at least one hand grip slot.

6. The shooting target of claim 1, further comprising a side target attachment configured to be secured to the main body, the side target attachment comprising: a) an attachment piece including a slot that fits over the main body and a bolt hole for securing the side target attachment to the main body; b) a circular target attached to a swinging piece; c) a threaded rod secured to the attachment piece and also configured to be coupled with the swinging piece such that, when the side target attachment is attached to the main body, the swinging piece rotates on the threaded rod and swings from one side of the main body to another when the circular target is hit with a projectile.

7. The shooting target of claim 1, further comprising a side target attachment configured to be secured to the main body, the side target attachment comprising: a) an attachment piece including a slot that fits over the main body and a bolt hole for securing the side target attachment to the main body; b) a right side target welded to a first side of the attachment piece; and c) a left side target welded to a second side of the attachment piece, opposite the first side.

8. The shooting target of claim 1, further comprising a side popper configured to be secured to the main body, the side popper comprising a side popper post including a top notch for securing a side target and a bottom portion for securing the side popper post to the bottom portion of the main body.

9. A shooting target, comprising: a) a main target assembly that includes (1) two slots for slidably receiving legs and (2) a post portion with two holes; b) a leg assembly comprising a first leg coupled to a second leg via a hinge assembly, wherein (1) the first leg is configured to be folded onto the second leg via the hinge assembly such that two holes on the first leg are relatively aligned with two holes on the second leg, and the aligned holes on the first and second legs are alignable with the two holes on the main target assembly for fastening the folded legs to the main target assembly; and (2) the first and second legs are configured to be unfolded at the hinge assembly to form an angle and to be slidably inserted into the two slots to form an adjustable base for the shooting target that adjusts a deflection angle of the shooting target.

10. The shooting target of claim 9, wherein the adjustable base adjusts the deflection angle to between 15 and 20 degrees from vertical.

11. The shooting target of claim 9, wherein the folded legs are fastened to the main target assembly with pins.

12. The shooting target of claim 11, wherein the pins are quick-release pins.

13. The shooting target of claim 11, wherein the pins are threaded pins.

14. The shooting target of claim 9, further comprising an accessory attachment that includes two holes that are alignable with the two holes on the main target assembly for fastening the accessory attachment to the main target assembly during transportation and a separate fastener portion for fastening the accessory attachment to the main target assembly during shooting.

15. A method of transporting a shooting target that includes (a) a main target assembly and (b) a leg assembly comprising a first leg coupled to a second leg via a hinge assembly, the method comprising: (1) folding the first leg onto the second leg via the hinge assembly such that two holes on the first leg are relatively aligned with two holes on the second leg; (2) aligning the aligned holes on the first and second legs with two holes on the main target assembly; (3) fastening the folded legs to the main target assembly via pins through the aligned holes on the first and second legs and the main target assembly; (5) unfastening the folded legs from the main target assembly by removing the pins; (6) unfolding the hinge assembly to form an angle between the first and second legs; and (7) slidably inserting the first and second legs into two slots of the main target assembly to form an adjustable base for the shooting target and adjust the deflection angle of the shooting target.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures.

(2) FIG. 1 depicts an isometric view of a first embodiment of the invention, in which a base plate and target plate are secured to the main upright post, and the main upright post is secured to an accessory rail attachment. In FIG. 1, the legs are inserted into the base plate to form a base.

(3) FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the first embodiment.

(4) FIG. 3 depicts a back view of the first embodiment.

(5) FIG. 4 depicts the legs in the folded position.

(6) FIG. 5, depicts the first embodiment with the folded legs in position to be pinned to the main upright post.

(7) FIG. 6 depicts a close-up view of the hinge assembly for the legs, as assembled.

(8) FIG. 7 depicts a detailed view of the parts comprising the hinge assembly, detached from the legs.

(9) FIG. 8 depicts an isometric view of a second embodiment of the invention, in which the main upright post with quick pin holes, torso target, and base are machined from a single piece.

(10) FIG. 9 is a top view of an side target attachment.

(11) FIG. 10 is a side view of a side target attachment, attached to the accessory rail.

(12) FIG. 11 depicts a side target.

(13) FIG. 12 is a top view of the main part of the wheel attachment.

(14) FIG. 13 is a top view of the c-shaped part of the wheel attachment.

(15) FIG. 14 is a side view of the assembled wheel attachment.

(16) FIG. 15 is a back view of the assembled wheel attachment.

(17) FIG. 16 is part of the swinging “dueling target” attachment.

(18) FIG. 17 is a part of the swinging “dueling” target” attachment for connecting it to the accessory rail of the main target assembly.

(19) FIG. 18 is a top view of the assembled dueling target.

(20) FIG. 19 is a back view of the assembled dueling target.

(21) FIG. 20 depicts the upright post of the side “popper” attachment.

(22) FIG. 21 depicts the main assembly with a modified baseplate for the popper attachment.

(23) FIG. 22 depicts an isometric view of two side popper attachments secured to the main assembly at the base plate, including side targets.

(24) FIG. 23 depicts the popper and legs pinned to the main assembly.

(25) FIG. 24 illustrates how a projectile might be deflected after hitting the target set at a deflection angle of 15 degrees from perpendicular (75 degrees relative to the ground) on level ground.

(26) Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(27) In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.

(28) FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 depict and describe one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the invention includes a main upright post (part 12) with quick pin holes (22) that is secured (for example, welded) to the accessory rail attachment part 14. The base plate (part 16) is secured (for example welded) to the bottom of part 12, and the main torso silhouette (part 10) connects and/or welds to the top of part 12.

(29) The legs (two parts 18) are used to form a hinge assembly (20)—one part 18 is welded to part 20a (male connector) and the other part 18 is welded to part 20b (female connector), as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Using a thrust washer (20c) and lock nut (20d), the hinge assembly for the legs is formed. With this hinge arrangement for the legs, the legs can be folded over each other as shown FIG. 4, and also attached with pins through holes 24 on the legs and holes 22 on the main upright post, as shown in FIG. 5. This pinned arrangement is useful, for example, when transporting the target from one location to another. In addition, the hinged legs can be opened to form an angle, and inserted into slots (28) of the base plate (part 16) to form the base for the shooting target, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

(30) As shown, with this system and method, the legs are easily attached to the main upright post for transportation of the full assembly, yet they quickly form the base of the target for shooting with the desirable (and adjustable) 15-20 degree (from 90) deflection angle toward the ground. With this angle, unsafe deflections of projectiles shot at the target are minimized.

(31) FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention in which the main upright post with quick pin holes, torso target, and base is machined from a single piece (part 30). Similar to the embodiment above, the legs are hinged as shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, and can either be folded up and attached to the main upright post, or opened to form an angle (which can be adjusted) and inserted into the slots of the base plate to form the base for the shooting target.

(32) Lanyards, such as McMaster-Carr Part Nos. 30345T524 and 30345T521, can be used, for example, to store the quick pins used for the main assemblies, either when the target is placed in the position for shooting or at other appropriate times.

(33) FIGS. 9 and 10 depict an accessory rail attachment 32 for attaching side targets. The side target attachment includes a slot (34) for fitting over the accessory rail of the main target assembly (14), and a bolt (36) secures the side target attachment to the accessory rail. The side targets (40) are optionally welded to the side target attachment at the slots (38). FIG. 11 shows an example of a side target 40 that can be used with this aspect of the invention, although many other suitable side targets exist.

(34) Generally, the side target attachment is installed below the main torso silhouette (part 10), although it can also be installed when no main torso silhouette is attached. The side target attachment can be kept in a fixed position or moveable. In addition, a number of these units may be installed at the same time, in different positions on the accessory rail (14). The side targets themselves can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the needs of the shooter. For example, the side target can be a circular shape that is smaller than the main torso silhouette to give the shooter a smaller point of impact when working on accuracy.

(35) FIGS. 12-15 depict a wheel attachment (42) to assist with transporting the target and related attachments. The wheel attachment includes receiving brackets (48) with slots (50). The receiving brackets (48) are attached to wheel attachment (42) as shown in FIG. 14. The accessory rail attachment (14) slides into the C shaped slots (52) of receiving brackets (48). The wheel attachment also includes another slot (44) for securing the base plate (part 16) of the main target assembly. Optionally included are additional slots (46) for storing accessories, and a piece of tubing (54) for securing the wheel attachment to a standard trailer hitch. The wheel (56) and axle (62) can be any suitable wheel/axle, and may depend on the specific application or terrain. An example wheel for use with this attachment is McMaster-Carr Part No. 29635T31. The wheel attachment can also included a threaded portion (58) for use with a bolt (60) to secure the attachment to the main assembly.

(36) FIGS. 15-19 depict a swinging “dueling target” attachment. The dueling target attachment includes a threaded rod (76) and bushing (78) that allows for the target to “swing” from side to side when attached to the accessory rail (14). The dueling target includes a c shaped slot (68) and block (74) for receiving a bolt (72) for attachment to the accessory rail of the main target assembly. The side target (40) is optionally welded to the dueling target attachment at the slot (66) of the swinging arm (64). FIG. 11 shows an example of a side target that can be used with this aspect of the invention, although many other suitable side targets exist.

(37) Generally, the dueling target attachment is installed below the main torso silhouette (part 10), although it can also be installed when no main torso silhouette is attached. In addition, a number of these units may be installed at the same time, in different positions on the accessory rail (14). The side targets themselves can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the needs of the shooter. For example, the side target can be a circular shape that is smaller than the main torso silhouette to give the shooter a smaller point of impact when working on accuracy.

(38) FIGS. 20-23 depict side “popper” attachments. Each side “popper” provides an additional target for the shooter (typically smaller than the main target silhouette, although not required to be) that is attached to the same base, so that the shooter can easily set up multiple targets to practice aiming at different targets and moving from one target to the next. FIG. 20 shows the upright post (80) for a side popper. In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the upright post includes a bottom notch 84 for securing the post to the base plate, and a top notch 86 for securing a side target to the post. As shown in FIG. 21, the base plate 16a of the main assembly in this embodiment includes one or more notches (88) for securing the side popper attachments for shooting. FIG. 22 depicts an isometric view of two side popper attachments secured to the main assembly at the base plate, including side targets. FIG. 11 shows an example of a side target that can be used with this aspect of the invention and attached to the top notch of the side popper upright post (80), although many other suitable side targets exist.

(39) The side popper attachment can also include quick pin holes, similar to the quick pin holes of the legs (18). The quick pin holes of the side popper or poppers can be placed on the side popper post (80) to line up with the holes 24 on the legs (18) and holes 22 on the main upright post (12) so that these parts can be pinned together, as shown in FIG. 23 (including two side poppers, 18). This pinned arrangement is useful, for example, when transporting the target and poppers from one location to another.

(40) The notches (88) in base plate 16a can also be used to different variations of the side poppers or other attachments.

(41) For many of the parts listed above, slots can be machined into the parts to reduce their weight. In one form, the legs include such slots (26), as shown in FIGS. 1-5. The slots (26) may also be sized and placed to act as hand grips for the user when picking up, folding, or adjusting the legs. Similar slots can optionally be included in other attachments or parts of the target system. For example, in one embodiment, the popper attachments include such slots (82), as shown in FIGS. 20 and 22.

(42) FIG. 24 illustrates how a projectile is deflected after hitting the target set at a deflection angle of 15 degrees from perpendicular (75 degrees relative to the ground) on level ground. A projectile 90 (such as a bullet) is shot at the target and impacts the target plate 10. The path of the projectile is represented by the arrows 92. As shown, after impacting the target plate, the projectile is deflected toward the ground 94 close to the base of the target. While the exact path of a given projectile varies, FIG. 24 is illustrative of the projectile path.

(43) The embodiments described above can be manufactured, for example, from AR500 and/or AR550 steel (AR meaning “Abrasion Resistant,” and 500 and 550 representing Brinell scale hardness), which is used for military and industrial applications, or from other suitable materials.