FIREARM TARGET

Abstract

A firearm target assembly includes a mounting base, upright support and forwardly tilted target surface. The target surface has a plurality of target zones or openings which are covered on the backside by hingedly or pivotally connected target plates that pivot between open and closed positions when struck by a round of ammunition. Each pivotally connected target plate pivots between one position in which it covers the target opening and may be struck by a round of ammunition and a second position in which it becomes a visible target outside the periphery of the main target surface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/656,417, which was filed on Jun. 6, 2012, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This application relates to firearm targets and especially portable reactive training targets.

BACKGROUND

Portable reactive firearm targets are used in law enforcement, military and private tactical training exercises to simulate various human encounters and provide training in marksmanship. In different contexts, it may be prudent or department protocol for the police officer (for example) to fire at a particular area of the target person's body. Depending on the context, the officer may require training to accurately hit the perpetrator's electrical (head), hydraulic (chest) or chassis (pelvic) area.

Many practice targets are deficient in one or more respects because they are not portable, are unstable, lack durability, are costly to maintain and repair, require the target to be re-set and/or create safety issues due to stray bullet fragments.

Improvements in these performance areas are desirable.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment a reactive target for use in firearm training includes a main target support body having a front surface, rear surface and outer periphery, and defines at least one target opening. A target is mounted to the rear surface of the main target support body in a location proximate to each target opening so as to cover the opening when the target is in a closed position. Each target includes one or more mounting components to mount the target for pivoting movement between the closed position and an open position in which the target projects beyond the outer periphery to present a visible target to the shooter. When the target is struck by a round of ammunition (a “round”), it swings or pivots from one position (closed or open) to the other position to present another target to the shooter without the need to reset the target.

In one embodiment, the main target support body defines more than one target opening and supports a pivotable target for each target opening. For example, the main target support body may support targets in areas representing head, chest and pelvic target locations.

In another specific implementation, each target includes a pivot arm extension that slides into a pivot tube fixedly secured to the main target support body. Each pivot arm extension is detachably mounted to the pivot tube to allow the target to pivot relative to the tube while allowing the target to be easily inserted and detached from the tube without fasteners.

In another specific implementation, the main target support body is detachably mounted to a support structure at a forward tilt angle relative to a vertical plane. In one exemplary implementation, the forward tilt angle is about 30 degrees. In yet another specific implementation, each pivot tube has a longitudinal pivot axis that extends at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal center axis of the main target support body.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable firearm target.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a main body component of the target of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the main body component of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view similar to FIG. 2 but with three target pieces mounted to the main body component.

FIG. 5 is an exploded front view of one of three target pieces shown in FIG. 4 and a pivot tube for mounting same.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the target piece and pivot tube of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative side view of the main body component of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the mounting frame of the main body component of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment for mounting a target piece to the main body component.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment for mounting a target piece to the main body component.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment for mounting a target piece to the main body component.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views of a fifth embodiment for mounting a target piece to the main body component, showing the component assembled and disassembled.

FIGS. 14 are 15 are partial perspective views showing a sixth embodiment for mounting a target piece to the main body component in assembled and disassembled conditions.

FIG. 16 is a schematic top view of a mounting bracket for mounting a main target assembly.

FIG. 17 is a schematic rear view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 17.

FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a schematic rear view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 16 with the target assembly mounted thereon.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of the mounting bracket of FIGS. 16-19, with target piece detachably mounted thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosed embodiments in any way. Various changes to the described embodiment may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

As used in this application and in the claims, the singular forms “a” and “the” include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the term “includes” means “comprises.”

Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways (readily discernible, based on this disclosure, by one of ordinary skill in the art) in which the disclosed apparatus can be used in combination with other systems, methods and apparatuses.

A portable reactive firearm target 10 is shown and described in various embodiments herein. As shown in FIG. 1, the target includes a main body 12 representative of a human figure, mounting base 14, stand 16 and shield 18.

Main body 12 preferably includes at least three central target openings, an electrical (head) opening 20, hydraulic (chest) opening 22 and chassis (pelvic) opening 24. The openings, which may have different shapes, preferably are symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis bisecting main body 12. In the illustrated example shown in FIG. 1, head opening 20 has a “T” shaped configuration reminiscent of helmets worn by Spartan warriors centuries ago, chest opening 22 has a circular or oval configuration, and pelvic opening 24 has a substantially triangular (or trapezoidal) configuration. It will be appreciated that other target opening shapes will be suitable in presenting a visual localized target area at which the firearm holder may aim.

Main body 12 has a perimeter or silhouette that simulates the human form by providing a narrow head section 26 that defines head opening 20, chest section 28 having tapered shoulders 30, and tapered pelvic section 32 that at least partially bounds pelvic opening 24. Chest section 28, which defines chest opening 22, joins head section 26 to pelvic section 32.

FIG. 1 also shows pivotable reactive head target 34, chest target 36 and pelvic target 38 in their open positions. As explained further below, a well-placed shot will cause head target 34, chest target 36 and pelvic target 38 to each spin or pivot from the open position shown, back to their starting “closed” position in which each target completely covers its respective head opening 20, chest opening 22 and pelvic opening 24.

Main body 12 and targets 34, 36, 38 preferably are made from a hard durable metal material suitable for ballistic applications, such as AR500 (abrasion resistant) steel plate that can withstand repeated hits from firearm ammunition. In one example, main body 12 and targets 34, 36, 38 may be made from ⅜ inch AR500 plate steel. It will be appreciated that the main body and targets may be made from a wide variety of other materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art for ballistic purposes, and that AR500 steel can have a variety of different compositions and alloys. However, it is preferable that the plate material used be abrasion resistant, fine grained and have a Brinell hardness on the high end of the scale.

Referring again to FIG. 1, mounting base 14 provides a wide and stable platform to prevent main body 12 and its supporting stand from toppling over when it is struck by a round. In the example shown, base 14 includes two laterally spaced ground-engaging legs 40 connected by a connecting brace 42 welded thereto. Welded to the top of brace 42 is a short rectangular tube 44 having an opening to detachably receive and support upright stand 16. It will be appreciated that base 14 and stand 16 can be made in a wide variety of configurations and embodiments, and joined together in a wide variety of ways. Most desirably, however, the base and stand are configured to provide a supporting base for main body 12 that maintains the upright stability and orientation of the firearm target when hit by rounds striking at different locations, yet is easy to assemble and disassemble for storage and transportation. It will be appreciated, for example, that that legs 40, brace 42 and stand 16 may be made from rectangular or other metal tubing, angle iron (“L” shaped), or other structural components known in the art. For additional stability, one or more holes may be drilled in legs 40 and/or cross brace 42, through which one or more ground-engaging stakes may be placed.

A protective barrier, such as shield 18, may be attached to stand 16 to protect the removable attachment between stand 16 and main body 12 (as described further below).

Turning to the front view shown in FIG. 2, main body 12 includes a mounting tab 46 extending downwardly from a central area of pelvic section 32. Mounting tab 46 is used to detachably mount body 12 to stand 16, as explained further below. Tab 46, pelvic opening 24, chest opening 22 and head opening 20 preferably are symmetrical and have a center point located on a longitudinal axis bisecting body 12.

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of body 12 and the preferred location of three mounting brackets 48 attached thereto, preferably by welding. For reasons explained further below, each mounting bracket 48 preferably is mounted off center from the longitudinal center axis of main body 12 and defines a pivot axis that extends at an acute angle to the longitudinal center axis of body 12. One bracket 48 is welded to head section 26 and pivotally supports head target 34 (FIG. 1). A second bracket 48 is welded to chest section 28 and pivotally supports chest target 36 (FIG. 1). A third bracket 48 is welded to pelvic section 46 and pivotally supports pelvic target 38 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of main body 12 similar to FIG. 3 but with the addition of pivotally mounted targets 34, 36, 38. Each target preferably has a relatively narrow extension arm portion 50 that removably slips into one of the mounting brackets 48, allowing each target to swing or pivot about the extension arm within its respective mounting bracket. Each target is shaped to provide clearance between the outer surface of the mounting bracket and the target itself so that there is minimal frictional engagement and contact with the outer surface. The extension arm portion of each target 34, 36, 38 preferably is wide enough to avoid a loose or sloppy fit with its respective mounting bracket, but not so wide as to create a binding fit that prevents the impact force from a round from swinging or pivoting the target from the open position shown in solid lines in FIG. 4 to the closed position represented by dashed lines (or in the opposite direction).

The preferred clearance between each extension arm portion 50 and inner diameter of mounting bracket 48, which preferably is a cylindrical tube, is about 0.05 to 0.15 inches. For example, in one implementation the diameter of the extension arm is about 0.43 inches and the inner diameter of the mounting bracket is about 0.50 inches to provide a clearance of about 0.07 inches. Provided with a clearance in this range, the targets can be left in place on an outdoor shooting range year round, and will still function even if they become covered in rust and/or dirt. It will be appreciated that targets 34, 36, 38 may be pivotally and detachably mounted to main body 12 in numerous ways apparent to one of routine skill so as to allow the targets to be freely pivotable and easily detachable without fasteners. Alternatively, fasteners may be used to further secure each target so as to prevent the target from sliding upwardly out of the mounting bracket, while still allowing pivoting movement.

Given that there is some contact and frictional engagement between each extension arm and its respective mounting bracket, as well as between the target and top surface of the mounting bracket, as well as the force of gravity acting on main body 12 which is tilted forward relative to the shooter, the force generated by the bullet at impact must overcome a certain amount of resistance and weight of the target to cause the target to pivot from the open position to the closed position or in the opposite direction. The weight and resistance is sufficient to prevent the bullet impact from causing the target to swing uncontrollably with such momentum as to cause the target to rebound or backlash. In other words, the weight of the target, force of the bullet impact, forward tilt of the main body, inclination of the pivot axis, and mounting arrangement are such that most bullet impacts will cause the target to pivot from one position fully to the other position and remain there.

One advantage of the exemplary attachment means shown for mounting the targets is that they can be easily detached for transportation and storage, or replaced when worn or damaged.

FIG. 5 is a more detailed view of chest target 36 and the pivot tube or mounting bracket 48 to which it is removably attached. Target 36 has an extension arm 50 that freely slides into bracket 48 and is free to pivot therein. Targets 34, 38 have comparable extension arms.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of target 36 and tube 48 with extension arm 50 inside tube 48.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of main body 12 illustrating its forward tilt position as it would be used for target practice. The main body preferably is tilted forward to deflect bullet fragments downwardly toward the ground at the base of the stand and thereby provides a safer environment for the shooter and others in the vicinity. It has been found that a forward tilt angle of between 20 and 30 degrees works well but other angles will suffice. A perfectly upright target will offer some benefits but will not be as safe as the preferred embodiment illustrated and will not have the benefit of sufficient gravitational assistance to maintain the targets in either the closed or open position when they are at rest or when a round strikes the main body, incidentally imparting some impact energy to the targets. A target that is tilted too far forward, at a 60 degree angle for example, is not practical because it presents a surface area target that is too small for the shooter and diffuses too much of the impact force component necessary to pivot the target from one position to another.

FIG. 8 shows one exemplary way of detachably mounting main body 12 to the support frame assembly, which includes mounting base 14 and stand 16. Specifically, stand 16 (which may be made of angle iron) is bent at a 30 degree angle (for example) from vertical and has welded thereto an attachment support 52. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 16-20, support 52 securely supports a pair of spaced apart foot brackets 54, each having a channel 56 to support the base or bottom of main body 12 while permitting tab 46 to extend between the channels to be supportively engaged on both sides by brackets 54. In this way, main body 12 can be securely supported and stabilized while remaining easily detachable from foot brackets 54 simply by lifting main body 12 up and out of the channels. FIG. 20 shows a close up view of the bottom of main body 12 resting in the channels with tab 46 extending downwardly between foot brackets 54 on either side to provide support.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative target and mounting arrangement in which target 36a is welded to a solid rod or tube 60 pivotally supported by opposed pivot tubes 62a, 62b. Pivot tubes 62a, 62b are welded or otherwise securely attached to main body 12. In this variation, target 36a would not be easily detached from tubes 62a, 62b.

FIG. 10 shows another alternative target and mounting arrangement in which target 36b is welded to a solid rod or tube 60a pivotally supported by a single pivot tube 62c. Pivot tube 62c is welded or otherwise securely attached to main body 12. In this embodiment, target 36b may be easily detached from pivot tube 62c and replaced.

FIG. 11 shows a third alternative target and mounting arrangement in which target 36c is welded to a solid rod or tube 60b that is pivotally supported by opposed pivot brackets 62d, 62e. In this embodiment, target 36c would not be easily detached from brackets 62d, 62e.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show an alternative target and mounting arrangement similar to FIG. 9 which can be used with an asymmetric mounting tube or bracket 60c (though FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the tube 60c as symmetric). In this example, target 36d is welded to tube or rod 60c which is pivotally supported by opposed aligned pivot brackets 62f, 62g. The portion of rod 60c on one side of the target 36d may be (for example) twice as long as the portion on the other side of target 36d (though FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the two portions as being approximately the same length). The spacing between brackets 62f, 62g can be dimensioned such that the long end of bracket 60c may be fully inserted as far as possible into tube 62g so as to permit the short end of bracket 60c to enter bracket 62f. Gravity will urge the short end of bracket 60c into 62f to retain target 36d in place, as illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show an alternative target and mounting arrangement similar to FIG. 11, but with cotter pins attached to ends of mounting rod 60d to allow target 36f to be secured to brackets 62h, 62i and yet easily detached. In this example, the upper end of rod 60d could be about twice as long as the lower end, though the ends as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 have approximately the same length.

In operation, each of the targets 34, 36, 38 provide independent target zones that pivot independently out to the side when hit by an accurate round placement. A follow-up shot can be used to pivot or flip the target back to its original closed position, eliminating the need to cease fire to reset the targets. Because the main body is tilted forwardly, gravity holds the targets 34, 36, 38 in place in both the closed and open positions. A forward tilt angle also helps deflect bullet fragments down to the ground, making the target safer for the operator and allowing closer engagements. When training has ended, the firearm target may be broken down into separate pieces for transportation and storage.

Notably, the size, shape and location of targets 34, 36, 38, and orientation of their respective pivot axes are such that target pieces do not interfere with each other as they open and close. Also, they are designed so that in the closed position they are completely hidden from view except for those portions visible through openings 20, 22 and 32. When the targets are struck with a round and flipped to the open position, they become a visible target extending beyond the boundary or outer periphery of main body 12. Also, chest target 36 and head target 34, when sitting in their respective open positions, simulate for training purposes the view of a hostage taker standing behind a hostage victim, with only a head shot available to the law enforcement officer.

Further, in some embodiments, the size, shape, and orientation of the targets are such that each target's closed position is displaced both horizontally and vertically from its open position. In some embodiments, this is accomplished primarily by mounting the targets on a pivot axis that extends at an acute angle from the longitudinal center axis of the main target support body, such that the pivot axis is neither vertical nor horizontal. In this configuration, a shooter using the target must readjust their aim both horizontally and vertically in order to hit the same target in both its open and closed positions. This arrangement can make the use of the target more challenging and allow the creation of enhanced training procedures.

It will be appreciated that routine skill can be exercised to select the forward tilt angle, size, weight, thickness, and pivot axis orientation of the various components so that different calibers of ammunition, from rifle rounds to handgun rounds, may be used in training exercises to move the targets from open to closed positions and back again when accurately struck by a round, without generating so much target momentum as to create a backlash or rebound effect. It will be appreciated that if the targets' plate thickness is made too thin, they will not withstand the forces of ballistic impact, especially from a high caliber round from a rifle or otherwise. Similarly, if the ballistic plate material used for the targets is too thick, so as to create excessive weight for the targets, the force of impact from a direct hit will be insufficient to flip the target from one position to another.

It has been found that, given appropriate material properties and dimensions, the same target can be used with rounds ranging in size from 9 mm to 0.308 caliber. As a specific example, it has been found that a target having a “swinging moment” (defined herein as the product of its weight and the distance separating its center of gravity from its pivot axis) between 7 and 13 inch-pounds is more likely than other targets to be able to support this range of round sizes. As an even more specific example, it has been found that a target having a swinging moment of 8 inch-pounds works well for 0.22 caliber rounds. By varying the dimensions and properties of the targets, however, embodiments have been identified that are functional with rounds of size up to 0.50 caliber. Further, given appropriate values for the dimensions and the properties of the system, it is possible that both larger and smaller round sizes could be accommodated.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. We therefore claim as our invention all that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims.

Claims

1. A reactive target for use in firearm training comprising:

a main target support body having a front surface, rear surface and outer periphery, and defining a target opening;

a movable target mounted to the rear surface of the main target support body in a location proximate to the target opening so as to cover the target opening when the movable target is in a closed position, wherein the movable target comprises a single metal plate, the metal plate comprising a pivot arm extension portion and a main target body portion; and

a mounting component to mount the movable target for pivoting movement between the closed position and an open position in which the movable target projects beyond the outer periphery of the main target support body to present a visible target.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. The target of claim 1 wherein the main target support body includes plural target openings and the target comprises plural movable targets pivotally mounted to the main target support body, each movable target in proximity to a respective one of the target openings.

5. The target of claim 1 wherein the mounting component includes a pivot tube fixedly secured to the main target support body proximate to the target opening, the pivot arm extension portion being detachably slidable into the pivot tube to permit pivoting movement of the movable target.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. A target system for use in firearm training comprising:

a support body having a front surface, a rear surface, an outer periphery, and an opening, the support body being inclined at a forward tilt angle relative to a vertical plane; and

a target pivotally mounted to the rear surface of the support body so the target can pivot between a closed position, in which the target substantially covers the opening, and an open position, in which the target substantially extends beyond the outer periphery of the support body, wherein the target comprises a pivot arm extension portion and a main target body portion, the pivot arm extension portion defining a pivot axis and having a non-circular cross sectional shape perpendicular to the pivot axis.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the target is mounted at the forward tilt angle relative to the vertical plane such that the pivot axis of the pivot arm extension is not parallel to longitudinal center axis of the support body.

10. (canceled)

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the closed position is displaced both vertically and horizontally from the open position.

12. (canceled)

13. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a plurality of openings in the support body; and

a plurality of targets, each pivotally mounted to the rear surface of the support body at a mounting location off-center from a longitudinal center axis of the support body and on a pivot axis which is not parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the support body, such that each target can pivot between a closed position, in which the target substantially covers one of the openings, and an open position, in which the target substantially extends beyond the outer periphery of the support body, thereby defining a path between the open position and the closed position of the target.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the mounting locations, the pivot axis orientations, and a dimension of each of the targets are configured such that the paths between the open position and the closed position of each of the targets do not intersect.

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. The system of claim 8 wherein the support body includes a pivot tube into which the pivot arm extension portion can be removably inserted.

18. The system of claim 8 further including plural targets, each having a pivot arm extension portion, and plural pivot tubes secured to the support body, the pivot tubes each being configured to receive a respective one of the pivot arm extension portions to removably support the targets for pivotal movement.

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. The target of claim 4 wherein:

the main target support body includes three target openings and the target comprises three movable targets pivotally mounted to the main target support body, each movable target in proximity to a respective one of the target openings; and

each of the movable targets comprises a single steel plate, the steel plate comprising a pivot arm extension portion and a main target body portion.

22. The target of claim 21, wherein the three target openings comprise a T-shaped target opening, a circular target opening, and a generally triangular target opening, respectively.

23. The target of claim 5, wherein the pivot arm extension portion has a non-circular cross-sectional shape and the interior of the pivot tube has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape.

24. The target of claim 23, wherein the pivot arm extension portion has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape.

25. The target of claim 24, wherein:

the pivot arm extension portion has a planar first arm surface and a planar second arm surface, wherein the first arm surface and the second arm surface are substantially parallel and have an arm thickness defined therebetween;

the main target body portion has a planar first body surface and a planar second body surface, wherein the first body surface and the second body surface are substantially parallel and have a body thickness defined therebetween;

the first arm surface and the first body surface are substantially coplanar;

the second arm surface and the second body surface are substantially coplanar; and

the arm thickness and the body thickness are substantially the same.

26. The system of claim 17, wherein the pivot arm extension portion has a non-circular cross-sectional shape and the interior of the pivot tube has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the pivot arm extension portion has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein:

the pivot arm extension portion has a planar first arm surface and a planar second arm surface, wherein the first arm surface and the second arm surface are substantially parallel and have an arm thickness defined therebetween;

the main target body portion has a planar first body surface and a planar second body surface, wherein the first body surface and the second body surface are substantially parallel and have a body thickness defined therebetween;

the first arm surface and the first body surface are substantially coplanar;

the second arm surface and the second body surface are substantially coplanar; and

the arm thickness and the body thickness are substantially the same.

29. The system of claim 18 wherein:

the support body includes three openings and the system comprises three targets pivotally mounted to the support body, each target in proximity to a respective one of the openings; and

each of the targets comprises a respective pivot arm extension portion and a respective main target body portion, each pivot arm extension portion defining a respective pivot axis and having a respective non-circular cross sectional shape perpendicular to the respective pivot axis.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the three openings comprise a T-shaped opening, a circular opening, and a generally triangular opening, respectively.