METAL SHOOTING TARGETS
A metal shooting target is provided. The target is a modular metal shooting target including a base assembly, a post, and a target member. The post is coupled between the base assembly and the target member. The base assembly, the post and the target member may be assembled and disassembled into component parts. The base assembly for a modular metal shooting target includes a first side member having slots; a second side member having slots; and a cross member having hooks on each end of the cross member. The hooks are coupled to the first side member and the second side member through the slots in the first side member and the second side member.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application entitled “METAL SHOOTING TARGETS,” Ser. No. 62/401,047, filed Sep. 28, 2016, now pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical FieldThis invention relates generally to metal shooting targets and more particularly to modular metal shooting targets.
State of the ArtThe use of metal shooting targets provides many different benefits. For example and without limitation, a shooter receives visual and audio feedback that a target has been hit by his or her shot. This allows the shooter to identify whether the intended target was hit or not. The real time visual and audio feedback provided by metal targets allows for a shooter to increase accuracy and assists in the programming of muscle memory. This is accomplished by the shooter's muscles working to repeat the same result previously achieved in the real time feedback. This real time feedback can enhance training, speed, and accuracy. Having multiple senses invoked during this training process conditions the shooter to become a more powerful and effective shooter. Additionally, metal targets provide significant entertainment for all skill levels of shooters.
The existing metal targets do have their limitations. The targets are difficult to transport because of their size, they are difficult to setup, and repair requires tools that are not readily available at a range or shooting location. These existing metal targets require significant setup and take down time in order to shoot at and lack a base that can be setup on uneven ground.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved metal shooting target.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a modular metal shooting target, wherein the metal shooting target can be assembled and disassembled, wherein the disassembled condition, the metal shooting target is separated into component parts, and in the assembled condition, the component parts are assembled to for the metal shooting target. This allows for easy transportation of the metal shooting target by reducing the amount of space required to transport the metal shooting target. Further, assembling the metal shooting target does not require use of any bolts.
An embodiment includes a modular metal shooting target comprising: a base assembly; a post; and a target member, wherein the post is coupled between the base assembly and the target member, and wherein the base assembly, the post and the target member may be assembled and disassembled into component parts.
Another embodiment includes a base assembly for a modular metal shooting target comprising: a first side member comprising slots; a second side member comprising slots; and a cross member comprising hooks on each end of the cross member, wherein the hooks are coupled to the first side member and the second side member through the slots in the first side member and the second side member.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:
As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a modular metal shooting target, wherein the metal shooting target can be assembled and disassembled, wherein the disassembled condition, the meat shooting target is separated into component parts, and in the assembled condition, the component parts are assembled to form the metal shooting target. This allows for easy transportation of the metal shooting target by reducing the amount of space required to transport the metal shooting target. Further, assembling the metal shooting target does not require use of any bolts.
As shown in
The cross member 26 is coupled to the post 12, wherein the base assembly 20 supports the post 12 in a vertical position extending from to a top surface of the cross member 26. Cross member 26 may be a C-shaped member with a post slot formed through a top surface of the cross member 26. The post slot, according to particular embodiments, may have a shape that corresponds to the shape of post 12. For example and without limitation, post slot may be V-shaped to correspond to an elongate V-shaped post 12. This allows the post 12 to be coupled to the cross member.
The target assembly 30 may include a fixed target member 32 and a first moveable target members 35 and a second moveable target member 36. Moveable target member 36 may be coupled to fixed target member 32 using brackets 34, wherein each bracket 34 include a hook and an aperture, wherein the hook extends through corresponding slots in the fixed target member 32 and protrusions of the first moveable target member 35 engage the apertures of the brackets 34. This allows the first moveable target member 35 to rotate with respect to the brackets 34 and therefore with respect to the fixed target member 32. The first moveable target member 35 may be coupled to the fixed target member 32 wherein the first moveable target 35 is located at an aperture 31 of the fixed target member 32. The first moveable target member 35 operates as a center mass target of the fixed target member 32 that operates as a silhouette. The second moveable target member 36 may be coupled to the fixed target member 32 using bracket 37, wherein bracket 37 include a hook that engages a corresponding slot in the fixed target member 32 and further includes a hook upon which a slot formed in second moveable target member 36 engages and hangs from. It will be understood that more than one second moveable target member 36 may be coupled to the fixed target member 32, wherein each second moveable target member 36 is coupled to the fixed target member 32 using a bracket 37.
Fixed target member 32 may be coupled to post 12 using attachment system 38, wherein attachment system 38 comprises brackets 230, a first mounting plate 231 and a second mounting plate 232. Each bracket 230 includes a body portion with a hook member on an end and two slots on a side of the body portion, wherein the hook member extends to one side of the body portion and the slots are formed in a side of the body portion opposite the side the hook member extends. The hook member of each bracket 230 engages a slot on a bottom edge of the fixed target member 32 and the body portion of the bracket 230 engages the fixed target member 32, wherein the brackets 230 are located in parallel position to each other. The first mounting plate 231 includes two slots that engage a lower slot in each bracket 230 that are horizontally aligned, and the second mounting plate 232 includes two slots that engage an upper slot in each bracket 230 that are horizontally aligned. The first mounting plate 231 includes a recess that engages and secures to the post 12. The mounting recess may include an edge that corresponds to the profile of the post 12, such as, but not limited to a V-shaped recess. The second mounting plate 232 includes an aperture that corresponds to the shape of the post 12, wherein the post 12 may be inserted through the aperture of the second mounting plate 232. The post 12 may include a protrusion that retains the attachment system 38 in a fixed location on the post 12.
Further, the mounting plates are sized and shaped to engage the brackets 230 to hold the fixed target member 32 at a predetermined angle 14 with respect to a line 16 perpendicular to the top surface of the cross member 26. The fixed target member 32 held at predetermined angle 14 operates to direct the bullet fired at an angle toward a ground surface upon hitting the fixed target member 32. This operates to reduce ricochet of the bullet toward the shooter and provides a safer target 10.
Referring again to the drawings,
The target assembly 50 includes a plurality of target members 52 with a plurality of upper brackets 54 and a plurality of lower brackets 56. Each target member 52 is coupled to an upper bracket 54 and a lower bracket 56, wherein each target member 52 includes a hook or protrusion or extension that extends through apertures in the upper bracket and the lower bracket 54. The upper brackets 54 and the lower brackets 56 are coupled to the post 12 on a back surface and are substantially aligned. The extension of the target member 52 engages the apertures of one upper bracket 54 and one lower bracket 56, wherein the target member 52 is rotatable from one side of the post 12 to the other. In operation the target member 52 rotates from one side to the other of the post in response to being shot by a bullet. The angle of the post 12 at predetermined angle 14 operates to direct the bullet fired at an angle toward a ground surface. This operates to reduce ricochet of the bullet toward the shooter and provides a safer target 40.
Referring again to the drawings,
Referring again to the drawings,
Another embodiment of metal shooting target 10 is depicted in
An embodiment includes a target 90, such as a swinger target as shown in
The first cross member 106 comprises apertures in a top surface of the first cross member 106, wherein the apertures may receive vertical members 92. Typically, vertical members 92 are formed of wood and are utilized to couple a silhouette to, such as a paper silhouette.
The second cross member 108 is coupled to the post 128, wherein the base assembly 100 supports the post 128 in a vertical position extending from to a top surface of the second cross member 108. Second cross member 108 may be a C-shaped member with a post slot formed through a top surface of the second cross member 108. The post slot, according to particular embodiments, may have a shape that corresponds to the shape of post 128. For example and without limitation, post slot may be V-shaped to correspond to the V-shaped post 128. This allows the post 128 to be coupled to the second cross member 108.
The post 128 is coupled to and supports a swinger target member 120. Swinger target member 120 comprises body portion 122, wherein two support members 94 are coupled to body portion 122. The support members 90 operate to couple a silhouette to. The body portion includes a counter weight 124 adjustably coupled to weight support 130. The swinger target member 120 comprises a rotation device 126, wherein the body portion 122 is coupled to the rotation device 126 through a shaft or axle. The rotation device 126 includes a hub and spindle. The hub may include races, inner bearing, outer bearing, grease seal and connectors. In some embodiments, the hub may be a trailer hub, such as a four bolt trailer hub. The swinger target member 120 comprises a stop target 132, wherein stop target 132 prevents the swinger target member 120 from rotating. In order to activate the swinger target member 120, the stop target 132 must be shot away, thereby allowing the swinger target member 120 to rotate and swing.
Referring again to the drawings,
The cross member 106 comprises apertures in a top surface of the cross member 106, wherein the apertures may receive vertical members 142. Typically, vertical members 142 are formed of wood and are utilized to couple a silhouette to, such as a paper silhouette. Vertical members 142 may be secured by securing device 144. Securing device 144 may be a threaded securing device, such as, but not limited to a bolt.
Referring again to the drawings,
Another embodiment is depicted in
Referring to the drawings again,
Referring again to the drawings,
Another embodiment shown in
Each side plate 162 and 164 may further include an adjustment slot 240 having stepped slot portions. The target 250 includes a rod 242 that hold a spring 244 on one side of the spring and the rod engages each adjustment slot 240 in the first and second side members 162 and 164. A bracket 172 couples the target member 170 to the side members 162 and 164 and allows the target member 170 to rotate. The end of the spring 244 not coupled to the rod 240 is coupled to a bottom portion 171 of the target member 170. The target member 170 rotates backward in response to being shot by a bullet and the spring 244 returns or pops the target member 170 back up. The tension and of the spring 244 may be adjusted by locating the rod 242 in a different stepped slot portion of the adjustment slot to preload the spring 244 by stretching the spring 244. This can adjust the force required to rotate the target back, thereby requiring a more direct hit to rotate the target member 170 backward. Additionally, the tension of the spring 244 may also determine the speed at which the target member 170 rotates back up to its original position.
It will be understood that all of the targets shown in the figures may be assembled and disassembled. Each target is assembled without the need for bolts and the like. The components may be generally coupled together using hooks and slots. While coupling using hooks and slots is shown, it will be understood that other types of coupling may be utilized in order to assemble the target, so long as it does not include the use of bolts and the like.
The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims.
Claims
1. A modular metal shooting target comprising:
- a base assembly comprising: a first side member comprising slots; a second side member comprising slots; and a cross member comprising hooks on each end of the cross member, wherein the hooks are coupled to the first side member and the second side member through the slots in the first side member and the second side member;
- a post; and
- a target member, wherein the post is coupled between the base assembly and the target member, and wherein the base assembly, the post and the target member are assembled and disassembled into component parts.
2. The target of claim 1, wherein the cross member is a C-shaped member with a top surface, a front surface and a bottom surface.
3. The target of claim 2, wherein the C-shaped member comprises a post slot extending through the top surface.
4. The target of claim 3, wherein the post is coupled to the post slot of the cross member.
5. The target of claim 4, wherein the post is an elongate V-shaped post and the post clot in the C-shaped cross member is a V-shaped slot.
6. The target of claim 4, wherein the target member is coupled to the post at a predetermined angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the top surface of the cross member.
7. A base assembly for a modular metal shooting target comprising:
- a first side member comprising slots;
- a second side member comprising slots; and
- a cross member comprising hooks on each end of the cross member, wherein the hooks are coupled to the first side member and the second side member through the slots in the first side member and the second side member.
8. The base assembly of claim 7, wherein the cross member is a C-shaped member with a top surface, a front surface and a bottom surface.
9. The base assembly of claim 8, wherein the C-shaped member comprises a post slot extending through the top surface.
10. The base assembly of claim 9, wherein the post slot of the cross member is configured to receive a post therethrough.
11. The base assembly of claim 10, wherein the post slot in the C-shaped cross member is a V-shaped configured to receive an elongate V-shaped post therethrough.
12. The base assembly of claim 10, wherein the post slot is an angled slot, wherein the angled post slot is configured to hold the post at a predetermined angle.
13. The base assembly of claim 7, wherein the hooks are L-shaped hooks.
14. The base assembly of claim 7, wherein the first and second side members each comprise feet that extend downward and away from a center portion, wherein the center portion is coupled to the cross member.
15. A modular metal shooting target comprising:
- a base assembly comprising: a first side member comprising slots; a second side member comprising slots; and a C-shaped member with a top surface, a front surface and a bottom surface, the C-shaped member comprising hooks on each end of the cross member, wherein the hooks are coupled to the first side member and the second side member through the slots in the first side member and the second side member;
- a post; and
- a target member, wherein: the post is coupled between the base assembly and the target member; the target member is coupled to the post and held at a predetermined angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the top surface of the cross member; and the base assembly, the post and the target member are assembled and disassembled into component parts.
16. The target of claim 15, wherein the C-shaped member comprises a post slot extending through the top surface.
17. The target of claim 16, wherein the post is coupled to the post slot of the cross member.
18. The target of claim 17, wherein the post is an elongate V-shaped post and the post slot in the C-shaped cross member is a V-shaped slot.
19. The target of claim 17, wherein the post slot of the cross member is an angled slot, wherein the angled post slot is configured to hold the post at a predetermined angle.
20. The target of claim 7, wherein the first and second side members each comprise feet that extend downward and away from a center portion, wherein the center portion is coupled to the cross member.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 21, 2017
Publication Date: Mar 29, 2018
Inventor: Greg Bickel (Gilbert, AZ)
Application Number: 15/711,106