PORTABLE SUPPORT FRAME FOR ARCHERY TARGET AND BACKSTOP

Abstract

A portable archery range that supports an archery target and backstop. The present invention may include a frame in the shape of a cuboid having a front end, a middle portion, and a rear end. An archery target may be suspended to the frame near the front end, while the backstop may be suspended to the frame behind the archery target, such as near the rear end. The present invention may be made of a plurality of posts that may be easily assembled and disassembled. The middle portion may be extendable.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/692,561, filed Aug. 23, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable archery range and, more particularly, to a device that supports an archery target and backstop.

Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow. Historically, archery has been used for hunting and combat, while in modern times its main use is that of a recreational activity. During target practicing for archery, a target and a backstop are needed. Currently, existing targets require separate backstops. The distance between the target and backstop may be too far or too near to be optimally effective. Further, the backstop and targets are not designed to be easily disassembled, transported, and assembled. Therefore, archery is usually limited to commercial ranges or the use of large and heavy hay bales in permanent locations.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device that supports both an archery target and a backstop.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a portable archery range comprises: a cuboid frame structure comprising a plurality of posts adjoined together, wherein the frame structure comprises a front end, a middle portion, and a rear end; an archery target suspended to the frame structure; and a backstop suspended to the frame structure behind the archery target.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective detail view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a portable archery range that supports an archery target and backstop. The present invention may include a frame in the shape of a cuboid having a front end, a middle portion, and a rear end. An archery target may be suspended to the frame near the front end, while the backstop may be suspended to the frame behind the archery target, such as near the rear end. The present invention may be made of a plurality of posts that may be easily assembled and disassembled. The middle portion may be extendable.

The present invention may include a portable archery range with an integrated target and backstop. The integrated target and backstop may be supported by a frame, which may be lightweight, and easy to assemble and disassemble, making the present invention portable and easy to use. Further, by integration, the distance between the target and backstop may be positioned at an optimal location.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention may include a frame 36. The frame 36 may be in the shape of a cuboid and may be made of a plurality of posts 16, 20 adjoined together. The frame 36 structure may include a front end, a middle portion, and a rear end. An archery target 10 may be suspended to the frame 36 near the front end. A backstop 28 may be suspended to the frame 36 behind the archery target 10 and near the rear end. The middle portion of the present invention may be extendable. Therefore, the distance between the front end and the rear end may vary depending on preference.

In certain embodiments, the front end and the rear end of the frame 36 may be made of four posts 16, forming a parallelogram. The four posts 16 may include a top post 16, a bottom post 16, and two side posts 16. In certain embodiments, the posts 16 may be made of a polymer, such polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes that may have about a one inch diameter and may be about five feet in length. The middle portion may also include four posts 20, which may adjoin the corners of the front end and the rear end. The four posts may include two top posts 20, and two bottom posts 20. The middle portion posts 20 may also be made of a polymer, such as PVC pipes that may be about one inch in diameter and about two and a half feet in length. However, middle portion posts 20 may vary greatly in length and may be interchangeable to extend and shorten the distance between the front end and the rear end.

In certain embodiments, the posts 16, 20 of the present invention may be attached together by corner fittings 18 having three openings to receive and secure the posts 16, 20. In certain embodiments, the corner fittings 18 may be about 1 inch and may be made of PVC. The posts 16, 20 of the present invention may be releasably attachable, making the frame 36 easy to assemble and disassemble. Further, the posts 16, 20 may be releasably attached to the corner fittings 18. In certain embodiments, additional posts may be added. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a middle post 22 may attach to and connect the two top posts 20 of the middle portion. The middle post 22 may have about a half inch diameter with about a five foot length and may be made of PVC. The middle post 22 may attach by snaps 24 on either end. The snaps may be about ½ inch by about 1 inch in dimensions.

The present invention may include an archery target 10. The archery target 10 may receive arrows that have been shot at the target 10 by a bow. The target 10 may be thick enough so that the arrows shot at the target 10 may not pass through the target 10. Therefore, the target 10 is configured to receive arrows. For example, the archery target 10 may be about 2 inches thick in each layer and may have about three layers. Further, the archery target 10 may be about twenty four inches by twenty four inches. The archery target 10 may be made of a polyethylene foam.

The target 10 may be suspended to the frame 36 by stretchable cords 14. The stretchable cords 14 may be bungee cords and may include a round portion 14a and a flat portion 14b. In certain embodiments, the round portion 14a may be about a quarter inch in diameter and about two feet in length. The flat portion 14b may be about a half inch in width and about four feet in length. The target 10 of the present invention may include eyelets 34 at the corners. The eyelets 34 may be made of PVC and may have about a half inch diameter and about a six inch length. The round portion 14a may fit within the eyelets 34 and the flat portion 14b may be suspended to the frame 36. A paper target 12 may be secured to the archery target 10.

As mentioned above, a backstop 28 may be suspended from the frame 36 behind the target 10. In certain embodiments, the backstop 28 may be secured to and hang from the top post 16 of the rear end. In certain embodiments, a second backstop 26 may be attached to the middle post 22. The backstops 26, 28 may include a 1050 Denier Ballistic nylon curtain and a Raschel knit nylon curtain. More than one backstop may be used for compound bows. In certain embodiments, the backstops 26, 28 may include grommets 30. A plurality of hooks 32 may be attached to the top post 16 of the rear end and from the middle post 22. Therefore, the backstops 26, 28 may be hung from the hooks 32 and suspended from the frame 36.

A method of making the present invention may include the following. The frame may be constructed from common PVC pipe. The archery target may be made of layers of polyethylene foam, available in a variety of densities and cut to size. The archery target may also have holes drilled and PVC pipe inserted in each corner, to provide a durable channel for the cords. The target and support cords may be bungee cords with hooks. The curtain may be made from high-tenacity, tear-resistant fabric, from about 500 to about 1050 denier to Kevlar. Nickel grommets and hooks may be used to suspend the curtain from the frame. The target is available in a variety of densities and the curtain is available in a variety of thicknesses. Further, the distance from the front end of the frame to the rear end of the frame may be extended in order to accommodate a wide range of poundage of bows used.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A portable archery range comprising:

a cuboid frame structure comprising a plurality of posts adjoined together, wherein the frame structure comprises a front end, a middle portion, and a rear end;

an archery target configured to retain an arrow when shot at by a bow, wherein the archery target is suspended to the frame structure; and

a backstop suspended to the frame structure behind the archery target.

2. The portable archery range of claim 1, wherein the front end comprises four posts forming a parallelogram, the rear end comprises four posts forming a parallelogram, and the middle portion comprises four posts adjoining the corners of the front end and the rear end.

3. The portable archery range of claim 2, wherein the front end comprises a top post, a bottom post, and two side posts, the rear end comprises a top post, a bottom post, and two side posts, and the middle portion comprises two top posts and two bottom posts.

4. The portable archery range of claim 3, further comprising hooks attachable to the top post of the rear end, wherein the backstop comprises eyelets attachable to the hooks.

5. The portable archery range of claim 3, further comprising a middle post connecting the two top posts of the middle portion, wherein a second backstop is attachable.

6. The portable archery range of claim 1, wherein the posts are releasably attachable.

7. The portable archery range of claim 6, wherein the posts are releasably attachable by a plurality of corner fittings.

8. The portable archery range of claim 1, further comprising stretchable cords suspending the archery target to the frame.

9. The portable archery range of claim 8, wherein the stretchable cords are bungee cords attached to a plurality of eyelets embedded in the archery target.

10. The portable archery range of claim 1, wherein the middle portion is extendable.