Clay Pigeon Target Holders
A clay pigeon target support apparatus comprises an open ring formed of a thin, rigid, elastic material configured to provide resilient support to grip a clay pigeon target around an outer or inner diameter of a circular ridge disposed on a forward face of the clay pigeon target. First and second ends of the open ring are disposed substantially along radii of the ring separated by an acute angle. A support member integral with the first end of the open ring extends outward from the first end substantially along a radial of the open ring. Spring tension exerted by the resilient open ring upon the clay pigeon target retains the clay pigeon target within the open ring.
The present non-provisional application for patent is related to previously filed U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/995,243 filed Jan. 21, 2020 and entitled “Clay pigeon target holders” [sic], and to previously filed U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 16/974,399 filed Jan. 14, 2021 and entitled “Clay pigeon target holders” [sic], now both abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThe present invention concerns apparatus associated with clay pigeon target shooting, often known as “skeet” shooting, and more particularly concerns support devices for holding clay pigeon targets in a fixed position as opposed to being launched as a moving target.
2. Background of the InventionSkeet shooting typically involves launching target objects that simulate game birds such as doves or pigeons to provide a moving target for shooters to practice their technique. A wide variety of launching devices are available for use in such practice. Moving targets such as clay pigeons, typically about the size and shape of a hockey puck, are formed of a clay material that shatters when struck by a bullet or other projectile from a gun, bow, slingshot, or other similar device. The shattered target indicates a successful shot.
Shooting for practice is not limited to moving targets, however. Practice shooting at stationary targets can be useful in improving a shooter's accuracy. There are presently available several types of holders for supporting clay pigeon targets. The conventional holders are generally formed as a stake for supporting the target on the ground. The clay pigeon is then cradled in a Y-shaped or V-shaped figure disposed at the upper end of the stake. In such devices the clay pigeon is not securely supported and susceptible to falling off under windy conditions or other types of disturbance. In other examples the stake may be unstable or is limited in how the clay pigeon target may be positioned for practice.
What is needed is a clay pigeon target holder that holds the target securely and provides greater versatility in how the target may be positioned to adapt the shooter's practice to a wider range of target shooting experiences.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA clay pigeon target support apparatus is disclosed, comprising an open ring formed of a thin, rigid, elastic material configured to provide resilient support to grip a clay pigeon target around an outer or inner diameter of a circular ridge disposed on one face of the clay pigeon target; wherein first and second ends of the open ring are disposed substantially along radii of the ring and separated by an acute angle. A first support member integral with the first end of the open ring extends outward from the first end toward a distal end of the support member and substantially along a radial of the open ring, wherein spring tension exerted by the resilient open ring upon the clay pigeon target retains the clay pigeon target within the open ring.
In one aspect the open ring and the first support member may be formed of a single piece of the thin, rigid material.
In another aspect the open ring may be coated with a non-slip material.
In another aspect the distal end of the first support member includes a blade attached to the bottom or distal end of the first support member and shaped to extend laterally from the bottom end of the first support member, thereby enabling the first support member to resist rotation due to wind or an off-center hit to the clay pigeon target.
In another aspect a small panel may be attached to the first support member between the bottom or distal end of the first support member and the open ring, wherein a company logo or other symbol may be attached to the small panel.
In an advance in the state of the art, a clay pigeon target support device is disclosed that includes several novel features, heretofore not known to be available, which substantially improve its function and versatility. These features enable the support device to be adapted to a variety of placements, thereby providing a more useful and interesting target practice experience for shooters, regardless of whether they are using guns, bows or crossbows, or slingshots, for example.
The invention arose from recognizing several needs of skeet shooters and other persons who need targets for practicing their shooting skills. One of the needs is to recycle clay pigeons used in skeet shooting for reuse that were launched but not damaged, falling to the earth and often discarded and, because they are biodegradable, left to decay where they fell. Another need is to provide a more suitable shooting target for practice than bottles, metal cans, and other discarded containers. Such objects are often used but are inconvenient to support, are not biodegradable, and are difficult to retrieve for disposal, etc. Another need is to provide a standard type of target for competition shooting, either formal or informal, in which the target is supported in a stationary position and which can be easily replaced when the target is damaged. This form of competition can accommodate a variety of shooting devices—guns, bow & arrow, slingshots, and even throwing by hand. Thus, the present invention permits substantial expansion of the potential uses of clay pigeon targets, whether obtained new or retrieved from skeet shooting sessions. The invention provides a practical and convenient way to support a clay pigeon target to satisfy the exemplary needs enumerated herein.
The invention comprises an open ring formed of a thin, rigid, elastic material such as metal or an engineered plastic that is formed integrally with a support member extending radially from one of the open ends of the ring to a distal end. The clay pigeon target support or holder is shaped somewhat like a question mark without the period below its lower extremity. The ring portion, preferably formed in one end of the thin, rigid, and elastic material, is open along a small part of its circumference. The ring portion thus provides resilient support to grip a clay pigeon target around an outer or inner diameter of a circular ridge, which is typically disposed on a forward face of the clay pigeon target. The first and second ends of the open ring are aligned substantially along radii of the ring that are separated by an acute angle. The open ring and support member may be formed of a single piece of the thin, rigid, elastic material.
In use, the open ends of the ring may be separated slightly against the spring tension of the elastic ring material, the ring placed around the outer diameter of the circular ridge on the face of the clay pigeon, and then relaxed so that the ring clamps the circular ridge of the clay pigeon within it. On other types of clay pigeons, the open ends of the ring may be squeezed slightly against the spring tension of the ring material, and the ring placed within the inner diameter of the circular ridge on the forward face of the clay pigeon. In clay pigeons without a circular ridge on one face, the target may be gripped by positioning the ring around the perimeter of the clay pigeon. Then the support device, with the clay pigeon installed may be installed in the ground as shown in
The clay target pigeon support described herein includes several embodiments that differ as to form and function. Features referred to by identical reference numbers identify features of the same form and function. Further, the clay pigeon target support device disclosed herein may include several optional features that expand its utility. One feature is (1) a hook device that may be attached to the support member so that the target support device can be hung from a branch of a tree, bush, or other object to suspend the clay pigeon target above ground level as shown in
Also illustrated in
The clay pigeon target support 30 illustrated in
One additional feature that may be incorporated into any of the clay pigeon target supports illustrated and described herein is to coat the open ring and support member(s) with a paint or epoxy coating to protect the finish and to provide colored surfaces to assist in identifying the target supports. For example, colored target supports may be used to distinguish competitors, to locate target supports that become dislodged from their supporting object, and other purposes. The coating material may also be selected to provide or treated with a non-slip surface that more readily grasps the raised ridges of the clay pigeon targets to secure the clay pigeon targets within the open ring of the target support.
Claims
1. A clay pigeon target support apparatus, comprising:
- a resilient open ring formed of a thin, rigid, resilient material configured to provide resilient support to grip a clay pigeon target around an outer or inner diameter of a circular ridge disposed on one face of the clay pigeon target;
- first and second ends of the resilient open ring disposed substantially along radii of the resilient open ring separated by an acute angle; and
- a first support member integral with the first end of the resilient open ring and extending outward from the first end toward a distal end of the first support member and substantially along a radial of the resilient open ring to the distal end; wherein
- spring tension exerted by the resilient open ring upon the clay pigeon target clamps the clay pigeon target within the resilient open ring.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- the resilient open ring and the first support member are formed as a single piece of the thin, rigid, resilient material.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the thin, rigid, resilient material is carbon steel spring wire.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- the resilient open ring and the first support member are formed from carbon steel spring wire having a cross-section dimension ranging between 1/16 inch to 3/16 inch.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- the resilient open ring and the first support member are formed from the thin, rigid, resilient material having a cross-section selected from the group consisting of a circle, a rectangle, a square, and a triangle.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- the resilient open ring is coated with a non-slip substance.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- the distal end of the first support member includes a blade disposed lateral to the longitudinal axis of the first support member to resist rotation of the first support member about the longitudinal axis.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- a logo panel is attached to the first support member between the resilient open ring and the distal end; wherein
- a company logo or other symbol may be attached to the logo panel.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
- a second support member integral with the second end of the resilient open ring extends outward from the second end of the open ring;
- wherein the second support member is oriented substantially parallel to the first support member.
10. A clay pigeon target support, comprising:
- a resilient open ring formed of carbon steel spring wire and configured to provide resilient support to grip a clay pigeon target around an outer or inner diameter of a circular ridge disposed on one face of the clay pigeon target; and
- first and second ends of the resilient open ring disposed substantially along radii of the resilient open ring separated by an acute angle of at least 10 degrees; wherein
- the first end of the resilient open ring is extended outward from the first end along a radius of the resilient open ring toward a distal end thereof to form a first support member; and
- spring tension exerted by the resilient open ring upon the clay pigeon target clamps the clay pigeon target within the resilient open ring.
11. The clay pigeon target support of claim 10, wherein:
- the resilient open ring and the first support member are formed from a single length of the carbon steel spring wire having a cross-section dimension ranging between 1/16 inch to 3/16 inch.
12. The clay pigeon target support of claim 10, wherein:
- the distal end of the first support member includes a hook formed to enable hanging the clay pigeon target support from a limb of a tree, bush, or other object.
13. The clay pigeon target support of claim 10, wherein:
- the distal end of the first support member includes a blade disposed lateral to the longitudinal axis of the first support member to resist rotation of the support member when inserted into the earth.
14. The clay pigeon target support of claim 10, wherein:
- a logo panel is attached to the first support member between the resilient open ring and the distal end; wherein
- a company logo, mark or other symbol may be attached to the logo panel.
15. The clay pigeon target support of claim 10, wherein:
- the second end of the resilient open ring is extended outward from the second end along a radius of the resilient open ring toward a distal end thereof to form a second support member.
Type: Application
Filed: May 3, 2021
Publication Date: Nov 3, 2022
Inventor: Carlos Cervantes (127 June Street Rifle, CO)
Application Number: 17/302,419