Sequential target apparatus
A configurable target apparatus comprises a support having a pair of spaced uprights and a pair of vertically spaced cross rails spanning the uprights to present a target area that includes front and rear spaced panels mounted on the support. The front panel has a target window and the rear panel provides an impact surface. A target is positioned within the target window between the panels. The support includes elements that engage the front and rear panels to provide for movement of each panel to and from an operative position in the target area.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for supporting a target of a selected configuration, the configuration being modifiable to accommodate a particular firearm or an archery bow.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTarget shooting on firing ranges and firearm and bow hunting are activities which are enjoyed by sports enthusiasts and hunters. However, firing ranges may be dangerous especially if a shooter desires to change the target with other participants nearby or while the range is still in use. Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a target apparatus which allows for the changing of the target remotely, with the apparatus being adapted to accommodate a variety of weapons at various distances.
Although a number of different types of targets and accompanying supporting structure have been proposed in the past, including the use of a sequential target roll, they typically do not accommodate both firearm and archery interests. In addition the type of weapon fired at a particular target apparatus may be limited. Some targets are particularly for handguns, whereas others accommodate rifles or an archery weapon. Because some shooters may desire to practice with both a bow and a firearm, it would be beneficial to have a targeting structure adapted for different types of weapons.
Furthermore, targets may have a number of different preferred shapes or configurations depending on the skill level or the goal of the shooter. For example, some targets are more challenging, while others define specific target areas depending on use, such as an animal silhouette or a B-27 anatomical handgun silhouette for law enforcement personnel. Also, shooters use different weapons which may require a different target to help improve and measure the shooter's skill. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a target with a configurable target window, allowing shooters to readily change the target shape, style or profile, and to provide a target support which readily and quickly accepts alternative target sizes, silhouettees or shapes, and is self supporting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn an embodiment of the present invention, the foregoing is addressed by providing a configurable target apparatus comprising a support having a pair of spaced uprights and a pair of vertically spaced cross rails spanning the uprights to present a target area that includes front and rear spaced panels mounted on the support. The front panel has a target window and the rear panel provides an impact surface. A target is positioned within the target window between the panels. The support includes elements that engage the front and rear panels to provide for movement of each panel to and from an operative position in the target area.
Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the illustrated embodiment as oriented in the view being referred to. The words “upwardly” and “downwardly” refer to directions up or down and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof. Such terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.
Referring to
The front panel 42 has a target window or opening 46 which is depicted as being essentially square. Although the target window 46 is square to accommodate the target 64, it may optionally be configured to accommodate a circular target, an irregular, B-27 anatomical handgun silhouette (see
Referring to
In
The apparatus 20 includes a target roll arrangement which supports the target 64 within the target area 40. A sequential supply roll 62 on an axle 66 is enclosed within a transparent housing 74 mounted on upper cross rails 25 atop the target frame, and delivers a continuous paper sheet 62a. A take-up bar 68 is below the panel 42 and spans the uprights 22. The sequential roll 62 is vertically aligned with the take-up bar 68 and provides spaced targets 64. Within the sequential supply roll 62, the targets 64 are spaced along the long strip of rolled paper at regular intervals. Although the targets 64 could have a number of different configurations, they are shown in
Although the take-up bar 68 is illustrated in
Referring to
The take-up bar 68 is illustrated in
It should be understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims.
Claims
1. A configurable target apparatus comprising:
- a support having a pair of spaced uprights and a pair of vertically spaced cross rails spanning said uprights, the cross rails and the uprights defining a target area,
- said target area including front and rear spaced panels mounted on the support, the front panel having a target window and the rear panel presenting an impact surface,
- a target positioned within the target window and between said panels, and
- said support including supporting elements engaging said front and rear panels and providing for movement of each panel to and from an operative position covering the target area.
2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said supporting elements include corner supports for aligning said panels with the target area.
3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said corner supports are fixed to said uprights for supporting said front and rear panels for horizontal sliding movement to and from the operative position of each panel.
4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a sequential target roll on said support presenting said target and containing additional, spaced targets moveable through the target area from said roll to a take-up device.
5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein a motor is connected to said take-up bar for rotatably feeding the targets through the target area.
6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said targets are moveable in register with the target area from said roll to said take-up device.
7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said take-up device includes a bar having a continuous longitudinal slot that is open on one end thereof to permit said sequential roll to be axially shifted along said bar, whereby to permit removal of a roll of used targets.
8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said front panel is moveable from its operative position to remove the front panel from the target area for replacement by another panel having an alternatively configured target window.
9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said alternatively configured front panel has a B-27 target window.
10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support presents a frame defining the target area, and includes anchoring structure on the frame for supporting an alternative target.
11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said alternative target is an archery target adapted for use with an archery weapon.
12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support includes an adjustable clamping means for securing an alternative target within the target area.
13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said front panel includes visual indicia thereon at the target window for alignment with said target therein.
14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 13, further including a scoring guide for alignment with said visual indicia for scoring a target in said window.
15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein said scoring guide includes scoring rings.
16. A configurable target apparatus comprising:
- a support having a pair of spaced uprights and a pair of vertically spaced cross rails spanning said uprights, the cross rails and the uprights defining a target area,
- said target area including front and rear spaced panels mounted on the uprights, the front panel having a target window and the rear panel presenting an impact surface,
- a sequential target roll on said support containing spaced targets,
- a take-up bar for receiving said targets and moving the targets-sequentially through the target area between said panels to said take-up bar,
- said take-up bar having a continuous longitudinal slot open on one end thereof to permit said sequential roll to be axially shifted along said bar to remove the roll after use,
- said front panel being removably replaceable with an alternatively configured front panel presenting a different target window,
- said support having anchoring structure thereon for supporting an archery target upon removal of said panels, and
- said support further including corner supports fixed to the uprights to retain said front and rear panels and provide for movement of each panel to and from an operative position covering the target area to permit removal and replacement thereof.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 2, 2007
Publication Date: Sep 4, 2008
Inventor: John A. Smith (Camdenton, MO)
Application Number: 11/713,438
International Classification: F41J 1/10 (20060101);