Target Holder

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a target holder 5 having a front panel 10 comprising a front surface 15, a rear surface 20, one or more legs 25 and one or more slots 30, a support 35 comprising one or more tabs 45 and one or more legs 40, and a horizontal connector 50, wherein the one or more tabs 45 are configured to engage the one or more slots 30 and further wherein the front 10, support 35 and horizontal connector 50 are of integral construction. Also provided herein is a target practice kit having a target holder and a target, wherein the target is secured to the target holder via a target securing means.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure pertains to the field of firearm shooting accessories. More specifically, the present disclosure pertains to a target holder.

BACKGROUND

Marksmen practice their skills by shooting at disposable or paper targets, often the commonly known “bull's-eye” target. Marksmen may practice either at a dedicated shooting facility, such as a gun range, or they may prefer to practice in the field which better simulates real world conditions more accurately than a gun range. When practicing in the field, marksmen often will attach their targets to trees, wooden posts, fence rails or other solid structures. Often, these are placed in front of hills, dirt mounds or other natural or man-made barriers for serving as a backstop to arrest the motion of the bullet. Use of a solid structure to hold the target could cause ricochets, which is not desirable. There exists a need for a portable, lightweight, economical and disposable target holder that will facilitate better and safer shooting practice in the field. Such a target holder is disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further explain the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings are not to be considered limiting in scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of one embodiment of the target holder 5.

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of one embodiment of the target holder 5.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of one embodiment of the target holder 5.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of one embodiment of a template of the target holder 5.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of one embodiment of the target holder 5 with target 60 attached.

FIG. 6 shows a rear view of one embodiment of the target holder 5 with target 60 attached.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a target holder 5 comprising a front panel 10, a support 35 and a horizontal connector 50. In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a target holder 5 having a front panel 10 comprising a front surface 15, a rear surface 20, one or more legs 25 and one or more slots 30, a support 35 comprising one or more tabs 45 and one or more legs 40, and a horizontal connector 50, wherein the one or more tabs 45 are configured to engage the one or more slots 30 and further wherein the front 10, support 35 and horizontal connector 50 are of integral construction. Also provided herein is a target practice kit having a target holder and a target, wherein the target is secured to the target holder via a target securing means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a target holder 5 that is portable, lightweight, economical and disposable that will facilitate more effective and safer shooting practice in the field. Now referring to FIGS. 1-6, in one embodiment, the target holder 5 comprises a front panel 10, a support 35 and a horizontal connector 50.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-3, the front panel 10 further comprises a front surface 15 that faces the marksman, a rear surface 20, one or more legs 25 and one or more slots 30. The front surface 15 is directed towards the marksman during use and may optionally be inclined at angle θ from vertical axis A as shown in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, angle θ is approximately between 1-45 degrees, while in an alternate embodiment angle θ is approximately between 1 and 20 degrees, while in yet another embodiment angle θ is between 1 and 10 degrees.

The one or more slots 30 are configured or adapted to receive one of more tabs 45 (as discussed below). The front 5 may comprise many different shapes, by way of non-limiting example, the front 5 may be a rectangle or, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, it may be a silhouette generally shaped like the torso of a human. The front 5 may be solid or it may comprise one or more openings (not shown). Finally the front 5 may comprise one or more legs 25 which serve to stabilize the target holder 5.

The support 35 contacts both the front 5 and the horizontal connector 50. Generally the support 35 is positioned at an angle from its connection point with the front 10 to its connection point with the horizontal connector 50. The support 35 provides the rigidity and stability needed for the target holder 5 to maintain an upright position during use.

The support 35 comprises one or more legs 40 positioned distal to its connection point with the front 10. As with the legs 25 on the front 10, the support's 35 legs 40 serve to stabilize the target holder 5. The support 35 also comprises one or more tabs 45 that extend from support 35 towards the front 10. The tabs 45 are adapted or configured such that they extend through the front 10 from the rear surface 20 towards the front surface 15 through the one or more slots 30 (via a sliding or other engagement) and continue extending a distance away from the front surface 15 thereby both securing the front 5 to the support 35 and, in one embodiment, serving as one or more platforms on which a target 60 can be placed. In one embodiment, the target holder 5 comprises a plurality of slots 30 and a plurality of tabs 45. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of slots 30 and tabs 45 is two. Of course, it should be understood that any number of slots 30 and tabs 45 should be considered within the scope of this disclosure.

The slots 30 and tabs 45 securement mechanism described above is typically sufficient to position and secure the target holder 5 in an upright position for use and no other fastening agents (such as elastic glue is required). Additionally, the target holder 5 is more transportable and easy to handle if no fastening agent is used. However, as would be recognized by one skilled in the art, it is possible to use a fastening agent (such as elastic glue) to provide additional support to secure the target holder 5 in an upright position for use. Further, to aid in the transportation and handling of the target holder 5, the target holder 5 may comprise one or more handles 55 as shown in FIGS. 5-6.

The horizontal connector 50 is connected to both the front 10 and the support 35 and provides the rigidity and stability needed for the target holder 5 to maintain an upright position during use.

In a preferred embodiment, the front 10, support 35 and horizontal connector 50 are all integrally constructed from one piece of material. In this preferred embodiment, as described below, the target holder 5 could be manufactured through the use of blanks with pre-folded boundaries separating the front 10, support 35 and horizontal support 50. In an alternate one embodiment, the horizontal connector 50 and the support 35 are distinct pieces of material.

The target holder 5 may be manufactured from any suitable material. If weight, mobility and expense are of concern, then the target holder may be manufactured from cardboard, paperboard, plastics, composition materials or corrugated fiberboard. Additionally, the target holder 5 may be manufactured from wood or other suitable materials.

Also within the scope of this disclosure are templates useful for forming the target holder 5 from cardboard (or similar material) blanks. As shown in FIG. 4, the templates are considered to have each of the elements discussed above for the front 10, support 35 and horizontal connector 50. The template generally has folding points (indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 4) that allow the template to be folded or manipulated in such a manner so that the front 10, support 35 and horizontal connector 50 are formed via a series of folds or manipulations and then the tabs 45 may be inserted into the slots 30 completing assembly. Templates are especially useful if the target holder is manufactured from cardboard or similar material.

Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in one embodiment, the target holder 5 comprises one or more target securing means 65 which serve to engage with the target 60 and secure the target to the front 10 for use. In a preferred embodiment, the target 60 comprises a male portion 70 of the target securing means 65 which is adapted or configured to fit into a female portion 75 of the target securing means 65 present on the front 10. In this preferred embodiment, the male portion 70 comprises an arrow shaped element which is passed through the female portion 75 wherein the arrow shaped element once through the front 10 provides adequate resistance via one or more engagement tabs 80 that prevent the male portion 70 from easily passing back through the female portion 75. The target holder 5 may include female portions 75 at many different locations. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5-6, there may be a series of female portions 75 used for securing a target 60 both on the lower and upper portions of the front 15. Of course, other means of securing the target 60 to the front 10 should be considered within the scope of this disclosure such as tape, tacks or the like.

Although particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this disclosure except as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A target holder comprising:

a. a front comprising a front surface, a rear surface, one or more legs and one or more slots,

b. a support comprising one or more tabs and one or more legs, and

c. a horizontal connector,

wherein the one or more tabs are configured to engage the one or more slots and the one or more tabs pass through the front surface of the front when engaged with the one or more slots and the one or more tabs extend outwardly from the front surface and provide a horizontal surface on which a target may placed, and further wherein the front, support and horizontal connector are of integral construction.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. The target holder of claim 1 manufactured from at least one of cardboard, paperboard or corrugated fiberboard.

5. The target holder of claim 1 wherein the front is inclined rearwardly from a vertical axis by angle θ, wherein angle θ is less than 45 degrees.

6. (canceled)

7. The target holder of claim 5 wherein angle θ is less than 20 degrees.

8. The target holder of claim 7 comprising a plurality of tabs and slots.

9. The target holder of claim 1 further comprising a target securing means.

10. A target holder comprising:

a. a front comprising one or more slots;

b. a support comprising one or more tabs, and

c. a horizontal connector,

wherein the front, support and horizontal connector are of integral construction and further where the tabs, when engaged with the slots, extend through the front and continue outwardly therefrom and provide a horizontal surface on which a target may be placed.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. The target holder of claim 10 manufactured from at least one of cardboard, paperboard or corrugated fiberboard.

15. The target holder of claim 10 wherein the front is inclined rearwardly from a vertical axis by angle θ, wherein angle θ is less than 45 degrees.

16. (canceled)

17. The target holder of claim 15 wherein angle θ is less than 20 degrees.

18. The target holder of claim 17 comprising a plurality of tabs and slots.

19. A target practice kit comprising:

a. a target holder comprising: (i) a front further comprising a front surface wherein the front surface further comprises one or more female portions and one or more slots and further comprising (ii) a support which comprises one or more tabs,

wherein the one or more tabs, when engaged with the one or more slots, extend through the front surface and provide a horizontal surface upon which a target can be placed;

b. a target, wherein the target comprises one or more male portions, and wherein the male portion of the target is configured to engage the female portion of the front thereby securing the target to the front surface of the target holder.

20. The target holder of claim 19 wherein the target holder further comprises a horizontal connector which connects the front to the support, wherein the front, support and horizontal connector are integrally constructed.