TARGET WITH VISUALLY DISTINCTIVE MOTION-BASED ACCURACY FEEDBACK

Abstract

The embodiments herein provide for accuracy-based distinctively acting visual feedback targets through independently active target portions. In particular, the target systems herein have a center target portion and one or more concentric or nested outer portions, where each of the center and outer portions is configured to be rotationally indicative of being hit by a projectile, and is specifically configured to not move any portion further inward of the hit portion. In one embodiment, concentric target portions (e.g., rings) spin around an axis independently when hit, thus indicating a center hit or the distance from center of the hit (i.e., no portion further inward or outward spins other than the hit portion). In another embodiment, nested paddle targets are configured such that knocking down a particular paddle correspondingly knocks down all other paddles that may be further outward (i.e., leaving any portion further inward of the hit portion unmoved/standing).

Claims

1. A target with visually distinctive motion-based accuracy feedback, comprising: a plurality of rotating target portions, each of the plurality of portions configured with an original position and to be rotationally indicative of being hit by a projectile by rotation of the respective portion about an axis; an innermost portion of the plurality of portions; one or more nested outer portions of the plurality of portions extending outwardly from the innermost portion, each of the one or more nested outer portions configured to not move any portion of the plurality of portions that is further inward of the respective portion when the respective portion is hit by a projectile.

2. The target as in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of portions is substantially circular in shape.

3. The target as in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of portions is substantially non-circular in shape.

4. The target as in claim 1, wherein one or more portions of the plurality of portions are based on different shapes than one or more other portions of the plurality of portions.

5. The target as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of portions comprise a material selected from a group consisting of: metal; steel; polymer; and plastic.

6. The target as in claim 1, wherein the projectile is selected from a group consisting of: a bullet; a pellet; a BB; a paintball; a foam dart; a ball; and a bean bag.

7. The target as in claim 1, wherein the axis for each portion is based on an aperture established internally and laterally through the respective portion.

8. The target as in claim 1, wherein the axis is horizontal.

9. The target as in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of rotating target portions is configured to be rotationally indicative of being hit by a projectile by independent spinning rotation of the respective hit portion about a substantially central axis of the respective hit portion, wherein the innermost portion and the one or more nested outer portions of the plurality of portions are configured to not move any other portion of the plurality of portions, whether further inward or outward of the respective portion, when the respective portion is hit by a projectile.

10. The target as in claim 9, wherein each portion is configured to gravitationally reset to the original position.

11. The target as in claim 10, further comprising: a weight differential between a heavier bottom half of each of the portions and a lighter top half of the respective portion created by a technique selected from a group consisting of: a thickness differential; a material differential; an additional material on the s heavier bottom half; one or more holes in the lighter top half; and one or more filled holes in the heavier bottom half, the filled holes being filled with a material that is heavier than a material of the respective portion.

12. The target as in claim 9, wherein each portion has one or more visually differentiating features from a front side and a back side of the respective portion selected from a group consisting of: a different color from the front side to the back side; and a reflective material on the back side.

13. The target as in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of rotating target portions is configured to be rotationally indicative of being hit by a projectile by knock-down rotation of the respective hit portion about a distal axis of the respective hit portion.

14. The target as in claim 13, further comprising: wherein the innermost portion and the one or more nested outer portions of the plurality of portions are configured to not move any further inward portion of the respective portion when the respective portion is hit by a projectile, and are configured to move all portions of the plurality of portions that are further outward of the respective portion when the respective portion is hit by a projectile.

15. The target as in claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of portions having a subsequently outward portion of the plurality of portions comprises a contacting segment configured to contact the respective subsequently outward portion, the contacting segment selected from a group consisting of: a flange overlapping an inset of the respective subsequently outward portion; and a bar across at least one supporting structure of the respective subsequently outward portion.

16. The target as in claim 13, further comprising: wherein the innermost portion and the one or more nested outer portions of the plurality of portions are configured to not move any other portion of the plurality of portions, whether further inward or outward of the respective portion, when the s respective portion is hit by a projectile.

17. The target as in claim 13, further comprising: a resetting trigger to return each portion to the original position.

18. The target as in claim 13, further comprising: an auto-popper action configured to automatically return each portion to the original position.

19. The target as in claim 13, wherein the axis for each portion is based on an aperture established through a technique selected from: drilling the aperture; bending material around the aperture; and installing an additional bracket around the aperture.

20. The target as in claim 13, wherein the axis is vertical.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The embodiments herein may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate identically or functionally similar elements, of which:

[0012] FIGS. 1A-1G illustrate an example of one embodiment of a target with visually distinctive motion-based accuracy feedback, namely a concentric spinner target;

[0013] FIGS. 2A-2H illustrate an example of another embodiment of a target with visually distinctive motion-based accuracy feedback, namely a nested (e.g., concentric) knock-down target;

[0014] FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate examples of still further embodiments of targets with visually distinctive motion-based accuracy feedback, namely examples of alternative shapes and designs; and

[0015] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate examples of alternative pivot points, particularly for knock-down targets.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] As noted above, target shooting allows people to compete and generally demonstrate or practice their proficiency in ranged weapons in terms of accuracy, precision, and speed. In general, people shoot firearms (handguns, rifles, etc.), airguns, and other weapons at various types of targets, for all different reasons. Targets are often either paper targets (where penetration of the paper indicates the location of the target hit), an object (where hitting the object moves or breaks the object), or else a steel target (where a sound is made in response to a target hit).

[0017] Steel targets, in particular, are effective training aids where the audible impact of steel delivers fast feedback, especially during rapid fire drills, and the bullet splashes can record shot placement. Steel targets also make for a cleaner range and more efficient range visits due to the time saved from setting up targets and checking to see if you hit the target. However, unlike a paper target, which easily records the location of the hit, a steel target over time becomes pitted with multiple hits, and it is difficult to pinpoint where the most recent hit was. Though it is possible to refresh a steel target with spray paint, this is more hassle than paper targets, and is best left for occasional maintenance rather than during a day at the range. Steel targets, therefore, are typically used as a hit or no hit target.

[0018] One form of steel target is that adds a dynamic response to merely audible strikes is a spinner target, which when hit start spinning. That is, every strike of a bullet shows an intense rotating action and gives a loud pinging report. Tree-style spinning targets, for instance, often have one or more steel paddles mounted to a center pole via a sleeve of some sort, spinning in response to being struck. Single spinning targets have also been designed to sit in a frame and spin around an axis when struck.

[0019] Another form of steel target can generally be classified as a knock-down target. There are many varieties of knock-down targets, which are essentially steel paddles that rotate at a base, but have a restricted length of rotationthus, you shoot one, it goes ping, and the target falls back. One example is a plate rack, where a series of target paddles can be knocked down (vertically or horizontally), and then optionally reset by hitting a designated reset target (sometimes called a raddle reset) or else by some self-setting mechanism (e.g., pop-up paddles). Another common type of knock-down target is a dueling tree, where each a few targets are oriented to the right and a few to the left, with each side being color coordinated. Two shooters may then duel to see who can hit the most targets, or hit all of them the quickest, etc. Other more intricate designs are also known in the art, such as gravity-moving targets (e.g., Texas star, shooting star, drop turner, whirly gig, and many others) which move the paddles to still be shot based on the change in the center of gravity created by hitting individual targets of a multi-targeted system.

[0020] One problem associated with steel targets is that it can be difficult to see where the round hit the target, particularly when shooting from a significant distance. Shooting a plate or gong, for instance, creates an audible sound when hit, with no indication of accuracy or precision. Spinners spin regardless of where they are hit, and knock-down targets are knocked down also regardless of where they are hit. While this may be sufficient for certain shooters, current steel targets typically lack the ability to readily differentiate between two shots that hit the target somewhere. For both spinner targets and knock-down targets, in particular, current designs lack the ability to distinguish between a good shot (e.g., center of the target) and a sufficient shot (e.g., an edge of the target, sufficient enough to make it spin or be knocked down).

[0021] The embodiments herein, therefore, provide for accuracy-based distinctively acting visual feedback targets. In particular, the target systems herein provide visual feedback of accuracy through independently active target portions, namely by having a center target portion and one or more concentric or nested outer portions, where each of the center and outer portions is configured to be rotationally indicative of being hit by a projectile, and is specifically configured to not move any portion further inward of the hit portion. In one embodiment, concentric target portions (e.g., rings) spin around an axis independently when hit, thus indicating a center hit or the distance from center of the hit. In this embodiment, no portion further inward or further outward spins other than the portion that is hit. In another embodiment, nested paddle targets may be configured such that knocking down a particular paddle correspondingly knocks down all other paddles that may be further outward from the center paddle, while leaving any portion further inward of the hit portion unmoved and in its original standing position.

[0022] Specifically, both embodiments share the common characteristics of being a target with visually distinctive motion-based accuracy feedback, comprising: a plurality of rotating target portions, each of the plurality of portions configured with an original position and to be rotationally indicative of being hit by a projectile by rotation of the respective portion about an axis; an innermost portion of the plurality of portions (e.g., a center portion); one or more nested outer portions of the plurality of portions extending outwardly from the innermost portion, each of the one or more nested outer portions configured to not move any portion of the plurality of portions that is further inward of the respective portion when the respective portion is hit by a projectile. However, each embodiment implements the techniques herein in a different manner.

[0023] FIGS. 1A-1G, in particular, illustrate the first embodiment, namely an example spinner target 100. As shown in FIG. 1A, in particular, the example spinner target 100 is illustratively based on a circular bullseye target, where the target 100 is compiled of a plurality (e.g., four or five) consecutives rings 110(a-d) and one solid center plate 120 (e.g., the bullseye). The concentrically independent rings 110 share the same center (as center plate 120), with each consecutively larger ring surrounding the immediately smaller ring. Note that this target is illustratively shown as concentric circles, however any shape can be utilized, including custom shapes, and the circular shape shown is not meant to be limiting to the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0024] The target 100 may have an illustratively horizontal bar 130 passing through the rotational middle of it, such as through axis apertures 135 (FIG. 1B, that is, the aperture about the axis for each portion is established internally and laterally through the respective portion) or else other arrangements that would allow for axis-based spinning. The bar 130 may be attached to the stand 140, such as legs extending down to mount to the ground. (Note that the bar 130 need not be horizontal, and merely needs to allow for gravitational resetting of the rings, described below.) In one embodiment, in between each ring (e.g., on the axis shaft 130) may be a small spacer to keep the target rings aligned vertically.

[0025] Said differently, each of the plurality of rotating target portions is configured to be rotationally indicative of being hit by a projectile by independent spinning rotation of the respective hit portion about a substantially central axis of the respective hit portion, wherein the innermost portion and the one or more nested outer portions of the plurality of portions are configured to not move any other portion of the plurality of portions, whether further inward or outward of the respective portion, when the respective portion is hit by a projectile.

[0026] FIG. 1C illustrates an expanded view of the example target 100 and the independent rings 110(a-d) and center 120.

[0027] When the target 100 is in ready position to be shot, it will appear as one solid plate (a single plane) with visual rings indicative of accuracy toward the center 120. The purpose of the target is to have each individual portion/loop 110 spin freely and independently if hit and the center plate 120 will spin independently if hit. FIG. 1D, in particular, illustrates action when hitting ring 110b. Space between the rings may be large enough to generally allow a bullet or other projectile to only hit one ring at a time, so that only one portion of the target is spinning in response to a hit. For example, hitting the target on ring 110b would spin only ring 110b, and no others. Alternatively, without the space between two portions, a projectile hit to both portions (e.g., 110b and 110c) would make both portions spin, thus being interpreted as a hit on the line between the two portions, accordingly.

[0028] The front of the target may be color coded with standard paint, with each portion being painted a different color. The back of the target, on the other hand, may be coated with a reflective or retroreflective material (e.g., reflective tape) that may (though need not) coordinate with the color on the front (e.g., a blue front and blue reflective back, a red front and red reflective back, and so on). Illustratively, any reflective material may be used for conspicuity, such as retroreflective tape/stickers, prismatic materials, retroreflective paint, and so on. In this manner, the spinning portion of the target may be easily recognized and identified at close range or at greater distances. In other words, each portion may have one or more visually differentiating features from a front side and a back side of the respective portion selected from a group consisting of: a different color from the front side to the back side; a reflective material on the back side; and so on.

[0029] For gravitational reset of the spinning target (back to the original flat plane), the rings 110 and the center plate 120 may be heavier on their bottom (below the axis bar 130), such as by being twice as thick from the horizontal axis down as the portion above the horizontal axis or having a different material for the top and bottom halves. The purpose of the thickness, or generally the weight distribution, is to allow gravity to reset the target after projectile/bullet impact.

[0030] FIGS. 1E-1G illustrate examples of techniques that may be used to affect the weight of the portions 110/120 in order to produce gravitational resetting. For instance, in FIG. 1E, holes (apertures) 155 may be cast or drilled into the select ring/portion, and then may be filled with a heavier substance than the rest of the portion (e.g., pot steel for the entire portion, then filled with lead) in order to force the now heavier half to hang downward. Alternatively, the holes may be left open and may be configured at the top half in order to make the top half lighter than the bottom half. Holes 155 may be partially through the target (from the front of the target or preferably the rear of the target), or completely through the target.

[0031] Note that the size and arrangement of the holes 155 may also be different than what is specifically shown, such as being in different number, locations, orientation, direction, etc., and the images are not meant to be limiting to the scope of the embodiments herein. For example, in FIG. 1F, the holes 155 come from the outside of the illustrative ring portion 110. Even in FIG. 1F, the direction into the ring portion may be axial as shown, parallel to each other, or any other arrangement.

[0032] FIG. 1G, as an alternative or additional embodiment, illustrates how the lower half of a given portion 110/120 may be thicker than the top half, which may be created based on the initially created shape of the portion 110/120, or may be established by adding material (e.g., welding on additional plates, etc.). Note that the added thickness and/or material need not be on both the front and back, nor does it need to be on the entire lower half. Rather, the additional material need only be sufficient to weight the lower half of the portion 110/120 greater than the upper half.

[0033] Said differently, a gravitationally resetting weight differential between a heavier bottom half of each of the portions and a lighter top half of the respective portion may be created by a technique selected from a group consisting of: a thickness differential; a material differential; an additional material on the heavier bottom half; one or more holes in the lighter top half; and one or more filled holes in the heavier bottom half, the filled holes being filled with a material that is heavier than a material of the respective portion.

[0034] The second embodiment of the targets with visually distinctive motion-based accuracy feedback, on the other hand, is shown in FIGS. 2A-2H, namely an example knock-down target 200. The example knock-down target 200 does not spin fully in a circle, but instead when the rings 210(a-b) or the center plate 220 are hit by a projectile/bullet, the impacted section of the target will fall backward pivoting on the axis bar 230 mounted below the target (through apertures 235 shown in FIG. 2B), and illustratively may fall independently, or may take each section further away from center with it. Illustratively, this version of the target may comprise a plurality of (e.g., three to five) consecutive rings 210 and a center plate 220 that visually appear as one solid plate when reset.

[0035] Said differently, in this embodiment, each of the plurality of rotating target portions is configured to be rotationally indicative of being hit by a projectile by knock-down rotation of the respective hit portion about a distal axis of the respective hit portion.

[0036] In one embodiment, the portions 210 (e.g., a, b, etc.) and 220 are independent and spaced from one another, such that only the hit portion is knocked down (i.e., not knocking down any portion in an outward direction further away from the center 220). That is, the innermost portion and the one or more nested outer portions of the plurality of portions are configured to not move any other portion of the plurality of portions, whether further inward or outward of the respective portion, when the respective portion is hit by a projectile

[0037] However, in a particular arrangement, as shown in FIGS. 2C-2H, when each portion/ring 210 or center plate 220 gets hit by a projectile/bullet, that portion and any portions extending outward toward the perimeter (i.e., away from the center) will be knocked (i.e., will fall) backwards together.

[0038] In one embodiment, starting from the center plate and progressing toward the outer rings there may be a slight overlapping flange 240 (or contact point) from one ring to the inset 245 of the next. (Illustratively, an expanded view is shown in FIG. 2C, with the center portion 220 shown front and back in FIG. 2D, subsequent portion 210a shown front and back in FIG. 2E, and outermost portion 210b shown front and back in FIG. 2F.) The purpose of the flange is to allow each portion that is hit to be knocked down and to also pull any portions further outward at the same time (but no portion further inward toward the center 220, unless the center 220 itself is hit). This greatly improves visualization of the particular accuracy of the impact to the knock-down style target 200.

[0039] Note that in addition to or as an alternative to the flanges 240, one or more extension bars 250 may extend from the base of the target portions to contact and correspondingly knock down outer rings, accordingly. For instance, the bar 250i for the center portion may cover at least one extension leg 260 of each and every other portion 210 (e.g., a, b, etc.) at some location above the axis 230, while the subsequent portion 210a would have at least one bar 250ii to cover only those portions further outward (e.g., 210b). Note that the bars 250 need only contact at least one extension leg of a subsequent portion 210, as that subsequent portion would have a bar to contact the next portion, and so on. The views shown herein are merely examples for illustration, and are not meant to be limiting to the scope of the embodiments herein. The bars 250 themselves may be bolted on, welded on, part of a cast shape, etc.

[0040] Said differently, in this knock-down embodiment, the innermost portion and the one or more nested outer portions of the plurality of portions are configured to not move any further inward portion of the respective portion when the respective portion is hit by a projectile, and are configured to move all portions of the plurality of portions that are further outward of the respective portion when the respective portion is hit by a projectile. In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of portions having a subsequently outward portion of the plurality of portions comprises a contacting segment configured to contact the respective subsequently outward portion (e.g., a flange overlapping an inset of the respective subsequently outward portion, and/or a bar across at least one supporting structure of the respective subsequently outward portion.)

[0041] FIGS. 2G-2H illustrate example actions in response to hitting portions 210b and 210a, respectively. For example, in FIG. 2G, a hit (shown as a HIT) to portion 210b results in only portion 210b being knocked down, while in FIG. 2H, a hit to portion 210a results in both 210a and 210b being knocked down, with the center portion 220 remaining unmoved. A hit to the center portion 220 (not shown) would result in the entire target 200 being knocked down, accordingly.

[0042] The rings and center plate of each target portion in target 200 may have separate colors in order to help clarify to the shooter which rings have been hit and fall back due to bullet impact. Other embodiments, such as sensor pick-ups to determine which ring/plate has been hit (e.g., and when for speed shooting).

[0043] In certain embodiments, the knock-down target may be configured with a resetting action, such as a pull cord, a different target to hit, remotely controlled actuators (e.g., solenoids, etc.), or other techniques that would be understood by those skilled in the art (that is, a resetting trigger to return each portion to the original position). Alternatively, the knock-down targets may be configured as an auto-popper configuration, where each portion that is hit and knocked down would be configured to automatically reset to the standing position, e.g., based on spring action or other known technique in the art (that is, an auto-popper action configured to automatically return each portion to the original position).

[0044] Though target 200 is illustratively shown as a circle (with extending legs down to the axis bar 230), any shape can be utilized in accordance with the principles detailed above.

[0045] Notably, the embodiments herein may have one or more features specifically implemented to avoid ricochets, in addition to the spinner targets or knock-down targets, which generally dissipate almost all of the round's energy. For example, wood-based stands may be used, and exposed bolts and brackets may be limited or covered by angled protective plates to reduce the chance of ricochets.

[0046] The targets can be made in various thicknesses and diameters to accommodate the velocity of the projectile/bullet. For example, the targets may be made of AR500 or AR550 steel (e.g., -inch AR500 to handle centerfire handguns up to .45ACP, including .38 special, 9 mm, and similar calibers, -inch AR500 to handle magnum handguns and rifles up to .308 and similar cartridges, -inch AR500 for high-power and magnum rifles, including .300 and .338 magnum rifles, and so on). Selecting the proper thickness is important, since a heavy steel target suitable for a high-power rifle may ricochet a .22 long rifle bullet back toward the shooter, or may have minimal reaction to other small caliber bullets or handgun rounds, which defeats the purpose of a reactive target. In addition, where holes 155 are used for gravitational considerations of the first embodiment described above, thickness at the holes should also be considered (e.g., when not filled in with other material, or where the filler material reacts differently than the rest of the ring).

[0047] Advantageously, the embodiments herein provide generally for targets with visually distinctive motion-based accuracy feedback. In particular, the target systems herein provide visual feedback of accuracy through independently active target portions. The targets described herein are thus able to show how closely to center a particular target hit was, or to show a comparison of hit accuracy greater than a binary hit or miss indication.

[0048] While there have been shown and described illustrative embodiments that relate to accuracy-based distinctively acting visual feedback targets, it is to be understood that various other adaptations and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein. For example, the embodiments may, in fact, be used in a variety of types of projectiles, such as firearms, airguns, pellet guns, BB guns, paintball guns, toy guns (e.g., plastic or foam air-launched or spring-launched projectiles/balls/darts), bows and arrows or crossbow bolts (particularly for the knock-down concept), darts, and so on, whether weaponry or otherwise (e.g., thrown balls, thrown bean bags, etc.) and the target composition may be adjusted accordingly (e.g., thicker or thinner steel or metals, different materials such as plastic, polymers, etc.). Furthermore, while certain shapes have been shown and described, any suitable shape may be used, such as squares, rectangles, diamonds, triangles, animals, and others with similarly functional utility (e.g., spinning, knock-down, etc.). Orientation of the targets herein, such as vertical, horizontal, etc., may also be altered in certain embodiments to still function in a similar manner (e.g., horizontal dueling tree knock down targets (such as shooting a horizontal target on the right side of an axis and moving the hit portion and any outer portion to the left side, and back again), a diagonally oriented spinning axis, etc.). Lastly, while the embodiments herein generally use the term concentric, the implication of a common center need not be limiting to the scope of the embodiments herein, and various alternative interactive arrangements may be used (e.g., where individual portions spin independently or where certain portions knock-down other interrelated portions, and so on), whether nested or otherwise.

[0049] FIGS. 3A-3D, as non-limiting examples, illustrate alternative shapes and designs for concentric and/or nested designs other than those shown (e.g., non-circular), such as square targets 305 (FIG. 3A) which can be used for both the spinning and knock-down embodiments, different shape portions 310 (FIG. 3B), also for spinning and knock-down embodiments, or nested animal shapes 315 (FIG. 3C), which could be used for knock-down embodiments. In general, spinning embodiments can be any shape that is equal on the top and bottom (i.e., mirrored about the axis) to allow for spinning on the axis. Knock-down embodiments, on the other hand, need not meet this requirement. Additionally, other arrangements of overlapping or otherwise touching designs may be used for knock-down targets, such as the rectangular bar arrangement 320 shown in FIG. 3D, where a center bar 321 knocks down all other bars, but each other bar only knocks itself down and any further outward bar in that particular direction (e.g., hitting 322A also knocks down 323A, but no other bar, hitting 322B also knocks down 323B, and so on).

[0050] Moreover, though the figures above illustrate the axis of rotation being created through a hole 135/235 through the plates, other arrangements may be made to create an aperture, accordingly. For example, FIGS. 4A-4B illustrates examples for the knock-down targets, in particular, of rolled/bent material of the target portions (FIG. 4A) to go around the axis bar 230, or else additional hardware 435 that may be added to the target portions (FIG. 4B). In other words, the aperture about the axis may established through a technique selected from: drilling the aperture; bending material around the aperture; and installing an additional bracket around the aperture. Still other arrangements may be made, and those shown herein are merely to illustrate that the embodiments are not limited to the drilled hole 235 shown above.

[0051] The foregoing description has been directed to specific embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that other variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. Accordingly, this description is to be taken only by way of example and not to otherwise limit the scope of the embodiments herein. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true intent and scope of the embodiments herein.