PNEUMATIC STEEL TARGET SYSTEM
Disclosed is a pneumatically operated steel target system that incorporates a polymer-like mannequin molded to an AR500 abrasive resistant material with a 500 Brinell (460-540) rating, which can be clothed for any event, allowing users to practice on human-like targets as opposed to a target with no features where the user's real-life training would be reduced. The target system has a protective chest plate proportionately angled at approximately 12 degrees from center to deflect bullet fragmentations downward and away from the shooter.
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Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
REFERENCE TO A COMPACT DISK APPENDIXNot applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONConventional steel targets used in weapon training are typically round, square, triangle or bowling pin shaped. Such targets are unrealistic and monotonous over a long period of time for military and police shooters, denying the users of much needed realistic training and evaluation. Additionally, steel target systems are not impact protected, and therefore increases the chance for injury to the user should a fragment from the target be thrown back towards the shooter after impact. Some commercial steel target systems use a target at a 90 degree angle, which can allow a bullet shot at the target returning straight back to the shooter or observers. Additionally, if a target is static, again, the round will have the potential to do harm again, returning straight back to the shooter. Static targets also have the potential for pock marks caused by the kinetic energy and the heat produced by bullet.
Reactionary targets provide a more realistic firearm training for the shooter. The most common type of reactionary target used today is made of steel. In a reactionary target system, the target is engaged, a shot is fired, the bullet travels through a target mannequin, impacting the steel and causing the target mannequin to fall. When the course of fire is completed, the target is then raised, typically using a pneumatically supplied piston. The shooter receives no feedback, either sound or motion, if the shooter misses the reactionary target.
There is a need in the art for more human-like targets having designed safety improvements to improve training activities with a genuine shooting experience with a life-like target, which gives an immediate response to a hit, and having adequate safety features.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONDisclosed is a pneumatic steel target system having a human-like polymer mannequin featuring head, ears, hands, fingers, chest, midsection and a back which would allow the mannequin to be molded and formed to expose the steel plate and allow the lifting arm to contact the steel plate. The steel plate is formed from an AR500 abrasive resistant material with a 500 Brinell (460-540) rating which converts to roughly a 52 on the Rockwell scale and a mild carbon steel pipe formed from A36 standard steel alloy which allows attachment to the target carrier. Further, the target system may have a target carrier formed from a A36 standard steel alloy C-shaped channel positioned atop the protective shield which is used to attach the mannequin and to allow pivotal movement. A retainer pin formed from a A36 standard steel alloy solid bar is used to retain the mannequin on the target carrier and to also allow pivotal movement. Additionally provided is a lifting arm formed of A36 standard steel alloy solid bar which is used to lift the mannequin to the upright position. A pneumatic piston is attached to the lifting arm and piston bracket which performs the lifting motion of the lifting arm. Additionally, a steel post formed of an AR500 abrasive resistant material with a 500 Brinell (460-540) rating which converts to roughly a 52 on the Rockwell scale is positioned on the base. The base is formed from A36 standard steel alloy C-shaped channel designed in the “H” formation which allows the use of a forklift for easy placement of the pneumatic steel target system. A post and base support is formed of A36 standard steel plate which aids in supporting the weight of the pneumatic steel target system. The chest plate of the target is formed from an AR500 abrasive resistant material with a 500 Brinell (460-540) rating which converts to roughly a 52 on the Rockwell scale. The chest plate is positioned having about a 12 degree forward tilt to deflect the bullets downward to prevent the user from being injured from bullet fragmentation. The chest plate has a bracket formed from a A36 standard steel square tube attached to the chest plate that aids in support. Further, two chest plate mounts formed of A36 standard steel alloy C-shaped channel are designed to be the surface for attaching the chest plate bracket and chest plate. A target adjuster formed from A36 standard steel square tube includes a Grade 8 bolt and nut positioned at the top of the upper most horizontal steel shield allows the user to adjust the bolt in or out to adjust the difficulty of the training. Three shields formed from A36 standard steel plate are positioned on top of the post to protect the pneumatic and related assemblies.
Disclosed is a pneumatically operated target systems, specifically a steel target system that incorporates a polymer-like mannequin. The polymer-like mannequin is molded to an AR500 abrasive resistant material with a 500 Brinell (460-540) rating, which can be clothed for any event, allowing users to practice on human-like targets as opposed to a target with no features where the user's real-life training would be reduced. The target system has a protective chest plate proportionately angled at approximately 12 degrees from center to deflect bullet fragmentations downward and away from the shooter. All of the intended strike surfaces of the invention, with the exception of the base, are made from ⅜″ Brinell AR500 abrasive resistant steel, which is heat treated by quenching and tempering and is also used when maximum hardness and strength must extend deep within a part. Most connections of the steel parts are welded, although those skilled in the art would understand that other means of connecting parts can also be used. Those skilled in the art would understand that the thickness of the steel used can vary, as dictated by the likely ammunition that will be used. For example, the use of ½″ steel would be acceptable for ammunition up to a 308 caliber, while the use of 1″ inch steel could be used for 50 caliber sniper rifles and machine guns with a single rate of fire. Those skilled in the art would understand that if the thickness of the steel is increased, then the pneumatic piston used to raise the steel target would need to have an increased PSI.
The pneumatic steel target system intended strike surfaces will withstand extremely heavy use from many powerful handgun and frangible rifle ammunition as well as shotgun shells without damage to it. The pneumatic steel target system allows users to shoot 1000's of rounds without little maintenance and repair needed. The pneumatic steel target system uses a molded 3-D mannequin that encapsulates the fragmentation after the impact of the steel plate resulting in a safer training by reducing the risk of being injured. In addition, the pneumatic steel target system has a wide base which provides stability. The steel pneumatic target system can be moved by forklift for the ease of installation and removal. Protection has been built into the pneumatic steel target system to prevent projectiles or fragment from falling into the system, causing the air lines to splinter or pistons to puncture, therefore reducing the high cost of maintenance and repair.
The mannequin 5 preferably incorporates human-like features including ears, shoulders, arms, hands, face, and neck which provide the user the ability to dress the mannequin 5 in any fashion desired and may have any suitable color. Preferably, the hands, fingers and arms of the mannequin 5 can be adjusted so mannequin can incorporate a variety of props, such as a weapon or a grenade. Additionally, the mannequin 5 preferably incorporates the use of a steel plate 30, which is also preferably made of AR500 abrasive resistant steel, that when hit, the mannequin will fall showing that the adversary is down.
The pneumatic steel target system 35 uses a three dimensional half human mannequin 5 that allows for many types of weapon training and recreational shooting. When the mannequin 5 is engaged, and a shot is fired, the bullet then travels through the mannequin 5, impacting the steel target 30 and the mannequin falls. When the course of fire is completed, the mannequin 5 is then raised using a pneumatically supplied piston 90 to force the lifting arm 85 and the steel target 30 into the upright position. If the shooter misses, there is no sound, and the visual response is no movement. The pneumatic steel target system 35 has a protective chest plate 40 proportionately angled at an angle 70 of approximately 12 degrees to deflect bullet fragmentation downward and away from the shooter(s). All of the intended strike surfaces of the pneumatic steel target system 35 are typically made with ⅜″ AR500 abrasive resistance steel.
Preferably, the pneumatic steel target system incorporates a target carrier 80 that the mannequin 5 pivotally mounts too. The pneumatic steel target system 35 uses a lifting arm 85 to raise the mannequin 5 in the upright position by means of a pneumatic piston 90 attached to a piston bracket 95. The post support 55 is designed to help support the top-heavy weight of the pneumatic steel target system 35. Chest plate brackets 60 are approximately parallel in relation to the chest plate 40 thus making assembly easier for welding and also providing the chest plate 40 a angle 70 of approximately 12 degree forward tilt. The shields 100 are positioned for the protection of the pneumatic assemblies such as the pneumatic piston 90 and lines (not shown). The target adjuster 75 are useful for several purposes. The bolt of the target adjuster 75 can be threaded in towards the mannequin 5 to make it easier to knock the mannequin 5 backwards. Conversely, the bolt of the target adjuster 75 can be threaded out towards the user the make it more difficult to knock the mannequin 5 over.
Those skilled in the art would understand that although the present invention has been described with particular reference to specific embodiments thereof, the form of the invention shown and described in detail is to be acknowledged as the preferred embodiment of the same, and that various changes and modification may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the applied claims.
Claims
1. A steel target system comprising:
- a post having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the bottom end is connected to a base and the top end is connected to a target carrier;
- a steel target in connection with the target carrier, wherein the target is configured to pivot backwards from an upright position;
- a polymer mannequin having a front and back molded around the target; and
- a chest plate attached to the front of the post, said chest plate positioned at an angle from about 10 to about 15 degrees from center.
2. The steel target system of claim 1 wherein said steel target is comprised of
- a steel plate formed from an AR500 abrasive resistant material with a 500 Brinell, said plate having a top and a bottom edge; and
- a steel pipe attached to the bottom edge of the steel plate, said steel pipe formed from A36 standard steel alloy.
3. The steel target system of claim 1 wherein the angle is more preferably about 12 degrees from center.
4. The steel target system of claim 1 further comprising
- a lifting arm attached to said steel target, said lifting arm configured to lift the mannequin to the upright position.
5. The steel target system of claim 4 further comprising a pneumatic piston in connection with the lifting arm and the post.
6. The steel target system of claim 5 further comprising at least one shield positioned to protect said pneumatic piston.
7. The steel target system of claim 1 wherein the post is comprised of an AR500 abrasive resistant material having a 500 Brinell (460-540) rating.
8. The steel target system of claim 1 wherein the base is comprised of at least one A36 standard steel alloy C-shaped channel configured for use with a forklift.
9. The steel target system of claim 1 wherein said chest plate is comprised of an AR500 abrasive resistant material with a 500 Brinell rating.
10. The steel target system of claim 1 further comprising:
- a target adjuster comprised of a steel square tube, a steel bolt and a nut, wherein the target adjuster is located at the top of the post.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 11, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 11, 2010
Applicant: The Government of the US, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy (Washington, DC)
Inventor: Jeffrey H. Wilcox (Virginia Beach, VA)
Application Number: 12/029,251
International Classification: F41J 7/00 (20060101);