PORTABLE SHOOTING TARGET
A collapsible, portable target shooting apparatus that is easily transported and constructed in the field, backyard, or other location for shooters to use for training and recreation. When collapsed, the apparatus lies generally flat. When expanded and assembled, portions of the apparatus comprise graphics for target shooting. A shelving system supports a variety of targets, including, but not limited to, three-dimensional targets such as fruit, cans, bottles, or any similar item. The apparatus may be made of cardboard, stiff paper, plastic, Kevlar, wood, metal, Styrofoam, or similar materials, or combinations thereof.
This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/783,079, filed Mar. 14, 2013, by Neely Burks, and is entitled to that filing date for priority. The specification, figures and complete disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/783,079 are incorporated herein by specific reference for all purposes.
FIELD OF INVENTIONThis invention relates to a portable shooting target that can be easily transported and constructed in the field. More particularly, this invention relates to a portable shooting target with a shelving system to support a variety of three-dimensional targets.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONIn various exemplary embodiments, the present system comprises a portable target shooting apparatus that is easily transported and constructed in the field, backyard, or other location for shooters to use for training and recreation. Portions of the apparatus comprise graphics for target shooting. In one embodiment, the invention further comprises a shelving system to support a variety of targets, including, but not limited to, three-dimensional targets such as fruit, cans, bottles, clay discs, or any similar item. The apparatus may be made of cardboard, stiff paper, plastic, Kevlar, wood, metal, Styrofoam, or similar materials, or combinations thereof.
In collapsed form the apparatus is a relatively flat, lightweight package, easily carried by a single individual. It may be shrink wrapped, secured by packaging straps, or otherwise fastened so as not to prematurely open. The apparatus may be self-merchandised in its collapsed state or in a partially assembled state, and thus can easily be displayed on a store shelf, gondola, or display apparatus.
The user transports the apparatus in collapsed form to the site, and begins assembly or construction. In one embodiment, assembly or construction comprises unfolding the side panels (or wings), and unfolding the reinforced support box (which forms the base of the apparatus). A reinforcement component is contained in the box itself which folds into an X-shape and is inserted into the support box to reinforce it. In alternative embodiments, a reinforcement component is not provided. Tabs, which may or may not have pre-cut slots or holes, extend from the bottom of the side panels and the support box (and may extend from front, back, or sides), and stakes can be inserted through one or more of said tabs to secure the apparatus to the ground. Where no holes are provided, the stakes are driven through the tabs directly. Alternatively, the apparatus may be weighted with stones, bricks, sand, or the like placed on the tabs or in the interior of the support box.
The support box generally comprises a front face, a top, a back face, and a bottom, contiguously attached along their respective edges, which fold and allow the box to collapse. In this embodiment, the side panels are foldingly attached to the right and left edges of the front face. The right face and left face of the box (when assembled) are contiguously attached along one edge to the right and left edges of the back face. The right and left faces each comprise a folding insert along the edge opposite the edge attached to the back face. Flaps extend from the ends of the top face and bottom face, and during assembly, these are folded inward, the corresponding right or left face is folded over the flaps, and the folding insert is inserted into the space behind the front face to form the side of the box.
An optional shelf unit may be unfolded, and tabs at the bottom of the side supports inserted into matching tabs, holes or slots in the top of the support box so that the shelf is secured on top of the support box. In one embodiment, shelf inserts may be used with the shelving unit. Three-dimensional targets or objects (e.g., cans, fruit, clay discs, or the like) may be placed thereon. In several embodiments, one or more hooks or holes are provided to allow targets (such as cans, and the like) to be suspended by hanging toggles, string or wire. The top of a shelf also may comprise one or more holes or slots to support clay discs, targets, or similar objects.
A variety of shooting target graphics are displayed on the front of the support box and the side panels, as shown. Graphics may be pre-printed on the apparatus. Alternatively, adhesive graphics or the like may be placed (or re-placed) on the apparatus. In one embodiment, replaceable graphics on a heavy card stock or similar material is slid or inserted into place on the apparatus and fastened in place.
By offering a variety of components for target shooting, the user is able to shoot multiple rounds of ammunition at the target apparatus without pausing for target resetting or reloading. Depending on the material used for construction of the apparatus, a variety of firearms may be used. For example, where paper or cardboard or similar material is used, recommended firearms include rifles, handguns, BB-guns, and pellet guns. Depending on the material used for construction, and the amount of use, the apparatus may be single-use or multiple-use.
After use, the product can moved in an assembled form, or may be collapsed, in whole or in part, for re-use, or it may be disposed of. In one embodiment, the side panels or wings can be folded inward to the front face, and secured thereto by the custom cutouts on the bottom of the box (by insertion of the stake tabs on the side panels in the cutouts), thereby allow the product to be moved in a convenient fashion while substantially assembled. Accordingly, the apparatus provides a simple, flexible, portable, easy-to-assemble target shooting system for recreational shooting and training.
In various exemplary embodiments, the present system comprises a portable target shooting apparatus that is easily transported and constructed in the field, backyard, or other location for shooters to use for training and recreation. Portions of the apparatus comprise graphics for target shooting. In one embodiment, the invention further comprises a shelving system to support a variety of targets, including, but not limited to, three-dimensional targets such as fruit, cans, bottles, clay discs, or any similar item. The apparatus may be made of cardboard, stiff paper, plastic, Kevlar, wood, metal, Styrofoam, or similar materials, or combinations thereof.
The apparatus may be self-merchandised in its collapsed state or in a partially assembled state, and thus can easily be displayed on a store shelf, gondola, or display apparatus. In the embodiment shown in
The user transports the apparatus in collapsed form to the site, and begins assembly or construction. In one embodiment, as seen in
If desired, the shelf unit 40 may be unfolded, and tabs 44a at the bottom of the side supports 42 inserted into matching tabs, holes or slots 44b in the top of the support box so that the shelf is secured on top of the support box (as seen in
A variety of shooting target graphics 70 are displayed on the front of the support box and the side panels, as shown. Graphics may be pre-printed on the apparatus. Alternatively, adhesive graphics or the like may be placed (or re-placed) on the apparatus. In one embodiment, replaceable graphics on a heavy card stock or similar material is slid or inserted into place on the apparatus and fastened in place.
By offering a variety of components for target shooting, the user is able to shoot multiple rounds of ammunition at the target apparatus without pausing for target resetting or reloading. Depending on the material used for construction of the apparatus, a variety of firearms may be used. For example, where paper or cardboard or similar material is used, recommended firearms include rifles, handguns, BB-guns, and pellet guns. Depending on the material used for construction, and the amount of use, the apparatus may be single-use or multiple-use.
After use, the product can moved in an assembled form, or may be collapsed, in whole or in part, for re-use, or it may be disposed of. In one embodiment, the side panels or wings can be folded inward to the front face, and secured thereto by the custom cutouts on the bottom of the box (by insertion of the stake tabs on the side panels in the cutouts), thereby allow the product to be moved in a convenient fashion while substantially assembled. Accordingly, the apparatus provides a simple, flexible, portable, easy-to-assemble target shooting system for recreational shooting and training.
Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examples described herein have been chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited for particular uses contemplated. Even though specific embodiments of this invention have been described, they are not to be taken as exhaustive. There are several variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims
1. A shooting target, comprising:
- a collapsible base support with a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a right side, and a left side;
- one or more side panels, each with a top, a bottom, a front and a back, each side panel hingedly attached along a side edge to an edge of the front of the base support, wherein the one or more side panels can be moved from a closed position covering some or all of the front of the base support to an open position extending to the side of the base support;
- a plurality of shooting target graphics displayed on the front of the base support and the front of the one or more side panels.
2. The shooting target of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tabs extending from the bottom of the one or more side panels and the base support, said tabs adapted to secure the shooting target to the ground.
3. The shooting target of claim 1, further comprising a collapsible shelf unit with two support legs adapted to be affixed to the top of the base support.
4. The shooting target of claim 3, wherein the shelf unit comprises at least one shelf.
5. The shooting target of claim 4, wherein the shelf unit comprises two shelves.
6. The shooting target of claim 3, further comprising tabs extending from the support legs, said tabs adapted to be inserted into corresponding slots or holes in the top of the base support.
7. The shooting target of claim 4, wherein the shelf unit comprises one or more hooks or holes to support a suspended target.
8. The shooting target of claim 4, wherein the shelf unit supports one or more three-dimensional targets.
9. The shooting target of claim 1, wherein the shooting target can be collapsed and folded substantially flat.
10. The shooting target of claim 1, wherein the shooting target is single-use.
11. The shooting target of claim 1, wherein the shooting target is multiple-use.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 12, 2014
Publication Date: Sep 25, 2014
Inventor: NEELY MARIE BURKS (NASHVILLE, TN)
Application Number: 14/205,490
International Classification: F41J 1/10 (20060101);