METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUSPENDING A BALLISTIC TARGET
A method and apparatus for presenting a target wherein a horizontal support member is supported above a surface and a target is supported from the horizontal member. From a starting position the target is allowed to deflect when struck by a projectile. By minimizing the forward looking profile of the horizontal support member, projectiles are less likely to strike it.
There are many apparatus for suspending a ballistic target. Most of these mechanisms are made of a hardened steel, which typically, but not always an abrasion resistant material. The targets themselves are also typically made of hardened, abrasion resistant steel. These targets resemble a gong, especially when they are attached to corresponding suspending mechanism.
Such gong type targets are quite commonplace. In fact, target systems made by competing manufactures are very similar to each other and there are little to no distinguishing characteristics. This is typical in an industry where innovation fell off early because the products are very simple and “low tech”.
Among the simplest gong target systems includes a pair a leg assemblies where each leg assembly itself includes two legs and each assembly is designed to fit over a horizontal bar. A simplistic horizontal bar is inserted into receptacles included in the leg assembly. One leg assembly is so provided on each side of the bar to form a dual “A-Frame” much akin to a small children's swing set. In the most simple of systems, the leg assembles are structured to fit over a piece of lumber, e.g. a 2-by-4.
In these simplistic gong target systems suspend a target from the horizontal bar using metal chain. There are several problems with such simplicity, one of which has serious safety implications. When a target suspended by chain is struck by a bullet, the kinetic energy is dissipated in a completely uncontrolled manner. At the moment of impact, the target is displaced but its direction of travel in unpredictable. This means that a bullet's path, post impact, cannot be predicted. Ricochet derived injuries are a real threat.
Recognizing the lethality of ricochet events, the industry has made some strides in restraining the movement of the target when it is struck by a bullet. Some target suspension systems are structured so as to partially restrain the target, but still cannot maintain an orthogonal orientation of the target relative to the shooter. So, there is always some axial rotation around a vertical axis. A ricochet can still be directed toward others on the shooting range.
In those systems that attempt to partially restrain a gong target, the target is suspended using solid hanger members. These prior art hanging members move independently and, worse yet, the target itself can still rotate about the vertical axis because the solid hangers are allowed to move independently. Also, these prior art systems typically attach the solid hangers to the horizontal bar using a free-moving attachment mechanism, for example a short span of chain. The same type of attachment is also used at the target.
Several alternative embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings and figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and in which:
When the system is so assembled, a dual A-frame is configured which is very much again to a child's swing set. It should be appreciated that the A-frame for such a system is not nearly as large as a swing set and, according to some example embodiment, stands at roughly three feet above the ground.
By allowing the target to deflect, the potential for a ricochet accident is minimized. In one alternative example method, a forward-looking profile of the horizontal support member is minimized (step 25). This minimizes the potential that a projectile will strike the forward-looking profile of the horizontal support member.
The horizontal support member 200 provides one or more hanger receptacles 280. It should further be appreciated that a hanger 210 is inserted into the hanger receptacle 280, which supports the hanger 210 and a target 215 which is attached thereto.
In one alternative embodiment, the horizontal support member 200 further provides one or more slots 330 for accepting a portion of a target, which is supported vertically above the horizontal support member 200. This is further described infra.
It should also be appreciated that the horizontal support member 200 also includes leg bracket receptacles 300. In one alternative embodiment, the leg bracket receptacles 300 included a retention 305 that helps secure the leg bracket 220 inserted into the leg bracket receptacle 300. This substantially prevents the leg bracket 220 from accidentally slipping out of the leg bracket receptacle 300. This is accomplished when an orifice included in the leg bracket 220 is partially positioned over the 305. It should be appreciated that the width of the leg bracket receptacle 300 must accommodate the thickness of the leg bracket 220 notwithstanding the tab 305. Then, when the leg bracket 220 is tilted outward away from the horizontal support member 200, the orifice included therein engages with the tab 305 provided in the leg bracket receptacle 300. This is more properly depicted in
From its originally inserted positioned 211, the pivot-eye 250 included at the top end of the hanger 210 is then placed over the orthogonal return 275 and is then pushed over the orthogonal return 275 and turned toward the tab 270 (position 212). In order to facilitate engagement onto the tab 270, the corner of the tab 270 and the orthogonal return 275 include a radius 272. Once past the radiused corner 272, the pivot-eye 250 is pushed onto the main portion of the tab 270 (position 213). These motions are also depicted in
While the present method and apparatus has been described in terms of several alternative and exemplary embodiments, it is contemplated that alternatives, modifications, permutations, and equivalents thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings. It is therefore intended that the true spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto include all such alternatives, modifications, permutations, and equivalents.
Claims
1. A method for presenting a target comprising:
- maintain a horizontal support member above a surface;
- supporting a target from the horizontal support member;
- allowing the target to deflect from an initial position when struck by a projectile;
- minimizing a profile presented toward a source of a projectile by the horizontal support member; and
- constraining the target from rotating about an axis of support when struck by a projectile.
2. (canceled)
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
- substantially preserving the shape of the horizontal support member when struck by a projectile.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein supporting a target comprises:
- receiving a portion of target into a slot disposed in the horizontal support member; and
- allowing the target to pop-out of the slot when struck by a projectile.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein supporting a target comprises:
- providing a first receiver in the horizontal support member;
- providing a second receiver in the horizontal support member;
- situating the second receiver at a distance relative to the first receiver in order to accommodate a target of a first size;
- accepting a first hanger into the first receiver disposed in the horizontal support member; and
- accepting a second hanger into the second receiver disposed in the horizontal support member.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein supporting a target comprises:
- providing a third receiver in the horizontal support member;
- situating the third receiver at a distance relative to the first receiver in order to accommodate a target of a second size;
- accepting a first hanger into the first receiver disposed in the horizontal support member; and
- accepting a second hanger into the third receiver disposed in the horizontal support member.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein accepting a first hanger into the first receiver comprises:
- accepting a pivot-eye disposed at a first end of the hanger onto a tab protruding into the first receiver; and
- substantially preventing the pivot-eye from disengaging from the tab when the hanger pivots about the tab.
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 29, 2016
Publication Date: Mar 29, 2018
Inventor: Andrew Fernandez (LA VERNE, CA)
Application Number: 15/280,964