Method of Competitive Marksmanship and Game Therefore
The method of competitive marksmanship includes the steps of providing a first shooter with a first designated target system having a first target composition, the composition including various graphic elements. Respective selectable rule-based values are, in accordance with rules, assigned for respective graphic elements of the first target composition. A second shooter is provided with a second designated target system, the system having a second target composition, visually different from the first composition, and the target composition also including various graphic elements. Each respective graphic element of the second target composition is then assigned a rule-based respective value. As the game progresses, and in accordance with variations of the game, there is calculated a progressive accumulation of values resultant of a successful scoring of hits upon elements of the target composition of each shooter's respective designated target system, until a winner is declared.
The present invention relates to a novel method of competitive marksmanship and, preferably, simulated combat marksmanship. An aspect of the present novel method of marksmanship lies in its use of novel types of targets, elements therein and novel rules for the use of the targets.
Historically, shooting targets have always been identical for each competitor as, for example, is shown in
Further, within the art of targets, numerous forms and types of single competitor targets, or like targets for use by multiple competitors, are known in the art. These for example are reflected in U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,470 (2001) to Miller, entitled Precise Aim Sighting Target; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,181 (2007) to Bateman, entitled Portable Shooting Target.
Also known in the art are targets of numerous different individual appearances as, for example, may be seen in The Glock FAQ target gallery website glockfaq.com/targets.htm. Therein are shown dozens of targets having almost every conceivable appearance and image thereupon. Various targets of other forms may be seen at www.lyndenhuggins.com/Hunting/Targets, www.tjtarget.com and site for “My Real Picture Targets” in which the targets consist of photographs of typical hunted animals, such as rabbits, deer and elk
There, as well, exist many dozens of United States design patents directed to the ornamental appearance of marksmanship targets. Some of these, for example, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 392,687 (1998) to Wilson, entitled Target Game and U.S. Des. Pat. No. 381,732 (1997) to Tenor, entitled Indicia for a Target are directed to a design portion of a target game, the rules of which however are not disclosed in said design patents. The same is similarly in the case in several other design patents, that is, the rules or protocols associated with a given ornamental target are not disclosed in any fashion in the design patent itself.
There also exists in the art psychedelic targets, as are reflected in U.S. Design Pat. No. 269,631 (1983) to Dulude, entitled Gun Target, again without any rules or protocol associated therewith. There also exists in the art actual battlefield or combat training target as is reflected in U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,265 (1994) to Prevou, entitled Battlefield Reference Marking System Signal Device.
Finally, there is shown in the prior art a system which simulates a complete hunting environment, that is, a virtual hunting range within an environment projected onto a hemispherical enclosure of the system. See United States Patent Application Publication US 2007/0015116 (2007) to Coleman, entitled Method of and Apparatus for Virtual Shooting Practice. The concept of a target projected by cinematic means has been known in the art since 1935, as is reflected in United Kingdom Patent No. 459,313 (1935) to Chollat, entitled Shooting Target with Cinematographic or Animated Pictures.
The concept of mechanically moveable or physically variable targets is also known as is reflected in published German Patent Specification DE 195 43 492 A1 (1997) to Stechemesser.
In distinction, the instant invention differs from those targets and target systems, above described, not only in its differences of appearance but, more particularly, in the manner and concept of use thereof. The invention also differs from all art of record in that it provides a unique platform for competitive marksmanship between two or more competitors of a type unlike that heretofore known in the art.
Yet further, the platform of a present game, as described below, is one having a potential for numerous variations thereof, as may suit the needs and preferences of particular competitors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a method of competitive marksmanship relative to specific target types, as is more fully set forth below. The method includes the steps of providing a first shooter with a first designated target system having a first target composition, the composition comprising a plurality of graphic elements. Therein, respective selectable rule-based values are, in accordance with rules, assigned for respective graphic elements of the first target composition. Thereafter, a second shooter is provided with a second designated target system, said system having a second target composition, visually different from said first composition, and said target composition also comprising a plurality of graphic elements. Thereafter, each respective graphic element of said second target composition is assigned a rule-based respective value. As the game progresses, and in accordance with variations of the game, there is calculated a progressive accumulation of values resultant of a successful scoring of hits upon elements of said target composition of each shooter's respective designated target system, until a winner is declared.
In broad concept, there exist three categories of targets, namely, full Force targets, split targets in which the players share the same firing lane or position, and mixed targets, also used when players share the same firing position or lane. In each of these three such categories, there exists in turn three bases upon which the competitive marksmanship may proceed, namely, unlimited time rules and slot limited time rules, and limited shot rules.
As may be more fully appreciated with respect to the following, the inventive method of competitive marksmanship has as object the provision of completely new and different kind of competitive shooting, namely, one in which each competitor shoots at a dissimilar target.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a novel method of marksmanship in which, within the context of shooting by each competitor at a dissimilar target, there exist a multiplicity of combinations and sub-combinations of target selection and therein distinct rules of time and shot selection. Each option thereof is yet subject to numerous refinements in order to add interest to the shooting experience and competitive stimulation thereof.
The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention and Claims appended herewith.
With reference to
In the instant inventive method, there is offered an entirely new and different format of competitive marksmanship in which, at essence, each competitor shoots at a dissimilar target. As such, the experience of competitive shooting may be expressed not only with traditional guns, pistols, rifles or arrows but, alternatively, in electronic form or in a children's analog in which non-lethal bullets are used in the shooting device. Paramount in the instant method is that each competitor shoots at a dissimilar target and that each dissimilar target is defined by a particular target composition comprising a multiplicity of graphic elements that provide to the target composition in distinctive character or connotation.
An overview of the rules which govern the method of competitive marksmanship, also termed herein the “rules of engagement,” begin (see
In the next general mode in which the inventive method may be practiced, there are provided so-called split targets 100 and 102 (see
In summary, split targets 100 and 102, which, in combination, comprises physical target 104, each exhibiting a correspondence, but typically having fewer elements therein, to Force A/element 20 of
The instant method of competitive marksmanship may be executed in a yet further physical format, namely, that of so-called mixed target 200 (see
With reference to
In
With respect to the split target protocol 104 shown in
As may be noted, lower field composition 118 of lower target 102 corresponds to the lower target 102A shown in
With reference to the mixed target embodiment of the present invention, the graphic expression of the mixed target, target 200, of
With reference to the flow chart of
Unlimited time: each side fires at respective targets, whether at the full Force, split, or mixed type, until one side eliminates all of the targets in a designated target system.
Limited time: a predetermined total amount of time, as stipulated, within which each shooter is permitted to attempt to score. Within that limited time, each shooter is permitted an unlimited number of shots at his designated target system, namely, Force A or Force B.
Limited shot rules: each shooter/player is permitted a pre-determined number of shots at his selected first or second target composition.
Within any of the above nine target/rule selections, shown in
1. Kill ratio basis of scoring. In either of the ‘limited’ versions of the game, at the end of the game, scores are determined by adding the “kill ratios” of all individual components of a “force” that has been completely eliminated. For example, if there five are individual elements 20/30, each with a “kill ratio” of 3, and they have each been hit three times, they would represent a score of 15. However, if one of those components had only been hit twice, that element would not score any points.
2. Qualifying shots. Contestants determine what constitutes a ‘hit’ on target, for example, whether flags, masts and/or antennae on ships constitute a hit (see Handicapping below).
3. Target order/Contestants may determine the order in which the targets are to be engaged, for example, all fighter aircraft must be eliminated before bombers may be targeted. Other forms of “Target Order” may be: order of target value (i.e., targets are to be destroyed in ascending/descending order or value), or row order (i.e., front rank first, and the like).
4. Target elimination. Contestants may determine that once a target with a “kill ratio” of two or more has been hit once, then that target must be completely, eliminated before any other target may be acquired.
5. Order of firing. Contestants may decide, particularly when sharing a firing position, to alternate either single or a specified number of shots, or elect an independent ‘fire at will.’
6. Penalties for infraction: A penalty may be applied to any infraction of the agreed upon “rules of engagement.” Examples of infractions may include: exceeding the time allowed (if applied to the limited time variant of the game), exceeding the agreed number of shots (if applying the limited shot version of the game), requiring eliminating individual components of Force A or B before acquiring another element of the target composition, and hitting elements out-of-order. Such penalties are of course agreed upon before the commencement of the game and, penalties for such infraction may include the following:
1. Point reduction: a competitor's score may be reduced if one of the agreed rules of engagement are breached.
2. Shot deduction: if playing the limited shot version of the game, infractions may call for a reduction of total number of shots allowed.
3. Time deduction: if using the limited time variant of the game, points may be deducted for a time infraction or, in the case of individual time shots, the player's next shot time allocation may be reduced.
4. Handicapping: Handicapping may be applied either as another form of penalty, or as a means of, equalizing any unfair advantage due to differing skill levels or experience. Handicapping may include:
“Kill Ratios”—Higher “kill ratios” may be applied to one player/team to equalize skill levels or as a penalty. When using any of the scoring versions of the game, then the original score value of each component will apply to both sides, irrespective of the number of hits required for that component to be eligible to score.
“Target Zones”—Specific target zones may be applied to individual components to make it more difficult to eliminate/score. For example, it may be determined that for one player/team, only shots to aircraft from the cockpit to the propeller—or only shots on ships above the hull—or only shots to tanks above the tracks—constitute a hit.
“Target Range”—Particularly with “Full Force” targets, distance to target is adjusted to allow for differences in skill levels.
While there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A method of competitive marksmanship between at least two shooters shooting at dissimilar and distinct targets, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a first shooter with a first target of a first multiplicity of first graphic elements;
- (b) providing a second shooter with a second target of a second multiplicity of second graphic elements, each of the second graphic elements being dissimilar and visually different from each of the first graphic elements;
- (c) selecting target categories for the first target and the second target selected from a group consisting of: separate full force targets with the first target separate from and adjacent to the second target, a single split image target with the first target and the second target split on the single image target, and a single mixed target with the first graphic elements interspersed and mixed together with the second graphic elements in the single mixed target;
- (d) selecting engagement rules for the first shooter and the second shooter selected from the group consisting of: unlimited time and shots for firing at the first target and the second target, a pre-determined amount of time and unlimited shots for firing at the first target and the second target, and a pre-determined number of shots for firing at the first target and the second target; and
- (e) determining a winner based on the first shooter and the second shooter engaging the first target and the second target after selecting one of the selected categories and selecting one of the engagement rules.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the steps of providing the first shooter with the first target and providing the second shooter with the second step include the steps of:
- selecting one of the first graphic elements and the second graphic elements to be selected from the group consisting of circles and non-circles, and
- selecting another one of the first and the second graphic elements to be selected from the group consisting of the non-circles and the circles, so that the first graphic elements being the circles has the second graphic elements being the non-circles, and so that the first graphic elements being the non-circles has the second graphic elements being the circles.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the steps of providing the first shooter with the first target and providing the second shooter with the second step include the steps of:
- selecting one of the first graphic elements and the second graphic elements to be selected from the group consisting of allied military forces images and enemy military forces images, the allied military forces images being dissimilar and visually different from the enemy military forces images, and
- selecting another one of the first and the second graphic elements to be selected from the group consisting of the enemy military forces images and the allied military forces images, so that the first graphic elements being the allied military forces images has the second graphic elements being the enemy military forces images, and so that the first graphic elements being the enemy military forces images has the second graphic elements being the allied military forces images.
24. The method of claim 24, wherein the allied military forces images and enemy military forces images are selected from the group consisting of allied and enemy aircraft, allied and enemy tanks, and allied and enemy vessels.
25. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of determining the winner includes the steps of:
- determining the winner from the unlimited time and shots for firing at the first target and the second target until one shooter eliminates all respective graphic elements;
- determining the winner from the a pre-determined amount of time and unlimited shots for firing at the first target and the second target when greatest accumulate hit value in the pre-determined amount of time occurs;
- determining the winner in the pre-determined number of shots when highest accumulation of hit value after the pre-determined number of shots has been exhausted.
26. The method of claim 21, wherein the first and the second graphic elements in the single split image target comprise less elements than the first and the second graphic elements the separate full force targets.
27. The method of claim 21, wherein the category of the separate full force targets includes the first shooter and the second shooter each being in different firing positions or different firing lanes.
28. The method of claim 21, wherein the category of the single image target includes the first shooter and the second shooter each sharing the same firing position or the same firing lane.
29. The method of claim 21, wherein the category of the single mixed target includes the first shooter and the second shooter each sharing the same firing position or the same firing lane.
30. A method of competitive marksmanship between at least two shooters shooting at dissimilar and distinct targets, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a first shooter with a first target of a first multiplicity of first graphic elements;
- (b) providing a second shooter with a second target of a second multiplicity of second graphic elements, each of the second graphic elements being dissimilar and visually different from each of the first graphic elements;
- (c) selecting target categories for the first target and the second target selected from a group consisting of separate full force targets with the first target separate from and adjacent to the second target, a single split image target with the first target and the second target split on the single image target, and a single mixed target with the first graphic elements interspersed and mixed together with the second graphic elements in the single mixed target, wherein the first and the second graphic elements in the single split image target comprise less elements than the first and the second graphic elements the separate full force targets, wherein the category of the separate full force targets includes the first shooter and the second shooter each being in different firing positions or different firing lanes, wherein the category of the single image target and the category of the single mixed target each includes the first shooter and the second shooter each sharing the same firing position or the same firing lane,
- (d) selecting engagement rules for the first shooter and the second shooter selected from the group consisting of: unlimited time and shots for firing at the first target and the second target until one shooter eliminates all respective graphic elements to be declared a winner, a pre-determined amount of time and unlimited shots for firing at the first target and the second target wherein greatest accumulate hit value in the pre-determined amount of time is a winner, and a pre-determined number of shots wherein highest accumulation of hit value is a winner after the pre-determined number of shots has been exhausted; and
- (e) determining a winner based on the first shooter and the second shooter engaging the first target and the second target after selecting one of the selected categories and selecting one of the engagement rules.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the steps of providing the first shooter with the first target and providing the second shooter with the second step include the steps of:
- selecting one of the first graphic elements and the second graphic elements to be selected from the group consisting of circles and non-circles, and
- selecting another one of the first and the second graphic elements to be selected from the group consisting of the non-circles and the circles, so that the first graphic elements being the circles has the second graphic elements being the non-circles, and so that the first graphic elements being the non-circles has the second graphic elements being the circles.
32. The method of claim 30, wherein the steps of providing the first shooter with the first target and providing the second shooter with the second step include the steps of:
- selecting one of the first graphic elements and the second graphic elements to be selected from the group consisting of allied military forces images and enemy military forces images, the allied military forces images being dissimilar and visually different from the enemy military forces images, and
- selecting another one of the first and the second graphic elements to be selected from the group consisting of the enemy military forces images and the allied military forces images, so that the first graphic elements being the allied military forces images has the second graphic elements being the enemy military forces images, and so that the first graphic elements being the enemy military forces images has the second graphic elements being the allied military forces images.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the allied military forces images and enemy military forces images are selected from the group consisting of allied and enemy aircraft, allied and enemy tanks, and allied and enemy vessels.
34. A system for competitive marksmanship between at least two shooters, shooting at dissimilar and distinct targets, comprising:
- (a) a first target having a first multiplicity of first graphic elements adapted for a first shooter;
- (b) a second target of a second multiplicity of second graphic elements adapted for a second shooter, each of the second graphic elements being dissimilar and visually different from each of the first graphic elements;
- (c) target categories for the first target and the second target selected from a group consisting of: separate full force targets with the first target separate from and adjacent to the second target, a single split image target with the first target and the second target split on the single image target, and a single mixed target with the first graphic elements interspersed and mixed together with the second graphic elements in the single mixed target;
- (d) engagement rules for the first shooter and the second shooter, the engagement rules selected from the group consisting of: unlimited time and shots for firing at the first target and the second target until one shooter eliminates all respective graphic elements to be declared a winner, a pre-determined amount of time and unlimited shots for firing at the first target and the second target wherein greatest accumulate hit value in the pre-determined amount of time is a winner, and a pre-determined number of shots wherein highest accumulation of hit value is a winner after the pre-determined number of shots has been exhausted.
35. The system of claim 34, wherein the first and the second graphic elements in the single split image target comprise less elements than the first and the second graphic elements the separate full force targets.
36. The system of claim 34, wherein the category of the separate full force targets includes the first shooter and the second shooter each being in different firing positions or different firing lanes.
37. The system of claim 34, wherein the category of the single image target and the category of the single mixed target each includes the first shooter and the second shooter each sharing the same firing position or the same firing lane.
38. The system of claim 34, wherein the system includes paper targets.
39. The system of claim 34, wherein the system includes digital targets.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 11, 2010
Publication Date: Jun 10, 2010
Inventor: Clifford J. Broadley (Sunrise, FL)
Application Number: 12/704,040
International Classification: F41J 1/00 (20060101);