ROTATABLE TARGET

Abstract

A rotatable target is provided. The target may include a body. The body may be made of a semi rigid or rigid material. The present invention may further include a mounting device. The mounting device may include a first end and a second end. The first end may be substantially looped and the second end may be mounted to the body. The target of the present invention may be rotatable about the axis of the second end of the mounting device allowing for the dispersal of energy as well as to providing additional visual stimulation and challenge.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to targets and, more particularly, to targets capable of rotation on a line or at a fixed point.

Current targets are affected by undesired movement, lack of desired movement and static limitations. These conventional targets often fail to provide an adequate challenge or visual stimulation.

Moreover, conventional targets can be inefficient at dispersing energy due to contact with the target, often resulting in target damage or undesired movement.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved target that is capable of desirable and controlled rotation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a rotatable target comprises: a target comprising a semi rigid to rigid body; and a mounting device comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is substantially looped and the second end is mounted to the body of the target, wherein the target is rotatable about the axis of the second end of the mounting device.

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 an embodiment of the present invention;

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

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

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 target that can rotate to allow for dispersal of energy as well as to provide additional visual stimulation and challenge. Conventional targets can be designed to move along a line and sway at a fixed point. The targets of the present invention can rotate while simultaneously moving along a line or swaying at a fixed point. In some embodiments, mechanisms can be added to create sound, light, or other forms of additional stimulation and challenge.

Referring now to FIG. 1 through 4, the present invention includes a rotatable target 10. The target 10 may include a body 12. The body 12 may be made of a semi rigid or rigid material. The present invention may further include a mounting device 16. The mounting device 16 may include a first end and a second end. The first end may be substantially looped and the second end may be mounted to the body 12. The target 10 of the present invention may be rotatable about the axis of the second end of the mounting device 16.

The target 10 can be designed of various materials, such as a molded impact resistant material. The body 12 of the present invention may be made of a surface surrounding an internal housing. In certain embodiments, the mounting device 16 may be an eyebolt 18. At one end of the target 10, the eyebolt 18 can be disposed through the surface of the target 10, with the eye end of the eye bolt 18 extending from a top side of the target 10. The second end of the eye bolt 18 may be threaded 22. Threaded nuts 24 and washers 26 can be used to secure the eye bolt 18 to the target 10. In some embodiments, the eye bolt 18 has a nut 24 threaded thereupon (with a washer 26) before insertion into the target 10. A second nut 24 and washer 26 can be secured to the threaded end of the eye bolt 18. The ease of rotation can be affected by the pressure of the two nuts 24 and washers 26 on the target 10.

A reinforcement material or weight piece 20 can be secured to the target 10 using epoxy or other similar substances designed to adhere the selected materials. In some embodiments, the reinforcement material or weight piece 20 can be attached to the target 10, while in other embodiments, the reinforcement material or weight piece 20 can be integrated into the target 10. The reinforcement material or weight piece 20 can be disposed to help reinforce the eye bolt 18 as it passes through the target 10. For example, the reinforcement material or weight piece 20 may be secured within the internal housing to the eyebolt 18 in between the inside of the surface and the at least one nut 24. The reinforcement material or weight piece 20 can also be disposed at a bottom end of the target 10 for controlling the movement of the target 10 when it is hung.

In certain embodiments, the target 10 of the present invention may be attached directly to a suspended wire 11. For example, the eye or the looped end of the mounting device may be looped around and secured to the suspended wire 11. In certain embodiments, a spring link or other attachment member (such as a carabineer or the like) can be attached to the eye bolt 18 to provide methods for attaching the target 10 at a desired location, such as the line 11 or a fixed point.

The target 10 of the present invention can be used for various purposes. For example, the target 10 can be used for physical education games, where the target 10 can help users practice their hand-eye coordination. While the target 10 is shown as a circular spider shape, including cutout portions 14 through the surface, other shapes are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. For example, in other embodiments, the target 10 could be designed as coins and used to help teach math lessons. In some embodiments, the target 10 could be used in various types of martial arts training, providing a user with a target 10 that can move along various axes to improve coordination or, with sports that use a stick, the target 10 could be used to practice such stick fundamentals as manipulative lift or accuracy.

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 rotatable target comprising:

a target comprising a semi rigid to rigid body; and

a mounting device comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is substantially looped and the second end is mounted to the body of the target,

wherein the target is rotatable about the axis of the second end of the mounting device.

2. The rotatable target of claim 1, further comprising a suspended wire, wherein the looped first end is attached to the suspended wire.

3. The rotatable target of claim 1, wherein the semi rigid body comprises a compressible material.

4. The rotatable target of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a surface surrounding an internal housing.

5. The rotatable target of claim 4, wherein the body comprises a plurality of cut out portions through the surface.

6. The rotatable target of claim 4, further comprising at least one weighted piece within the internal housing.

7. The rotatable target of claim 4, wherein the mounting device comprises an eye bolt, wherein the second end of the eyebolt comprises a threaded portion.

8. The rotatable target of claim 5, further comprising at least one threaded nut and at least one washer secured to the eyebolt near the first end on an outside of the surface, and at least one threaded nut and at least one washer secured to the eyebolt at the second end on an inside of the surface.

9. The rotatable target of claim 6, further comprising a weighted piece secured within the internal housing to the eyebolt in between the inside of the surface and the at least one nut.

10. The rotatable target of claim 1, wherein the body is substantially round.