Target Hit Indicator

Abstract

Target hit indicator and associated components and methods. The target hit indicator includes a housing that houses various electronic components and supports at least one light source. The target hit indicator is mountable on a target and configured to detect hits on the target and to activate the at least one light source to indicate such hits.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/484,307, filed Feb. 10, 2023, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to shooting accessories and more particularly to shooting target accessories.

BACKGROUND

Shooters and hunters practice shooting skills by shooting at targets. When shooting at targets over long distances, confirming whether the target has been hit can be challenging. For example, a shooter may fire a firearm at a steel target. Impact of a bullet against the target can cause the target to move (e.g., swing), and impact of the bullet against the target causes a sound, both of which enable the shooter to confirm the steel target was hit. When shooting the steel target over a long distance, the energy of the bullet at impact can be low such that the target does not move significantly upon bullet impact and such that the impact does not create a loud noise. Confirmation that the target has been hit is further complicated by sound attenuation across the distance between the shooter and the target and the difficulty in seeing the target over that distance. Impact confirmation can be enhanced by using specialized equipment to overcome the challenges, such as: (1) spotting scopes, binoculars, or other optics; (2) long range target cameras; and/or (3) visual target hit indicators.

Existing visual target hit indicators are complicated and expensive. For example, existing target hit indicators include unnecessarily complex sensors and microcontrollers required to operate the sensors. The components are expensive. Some target hit indicators include complex reflectors or prisms to direct light toward the shooter, and such components add cost and complexity.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a target hit indicator is for use with a target to indicate hits of the target to a shooter. The target hit indicator comprises a housing and a target connector supported by the housing and configured to connect to the target. An impact detector supported by the housing is configured to detect hits of the target. A plurality of light sources are supported by the housing and operatively coupled to the impact detector to cause activation of the plurality of light sources to indicate the hits of the target. The plurality of light sources are arranged with respect to the target connector to be outboard of the target to be visible by the shooter when the target connector is connected to the target.

In another aspect, a target hit indicator is for use with a target to indicate hits of the target to a shooter. The target hit indicator comprises a housing including an impact detector housing portion and a light source housing portion. At least one light source is supported by the light source housing portion. An impact detector is supported by the impact detector housing portion. A target connector is configured to connect the housing to the target such that the impact detector housing portion is located behind the target and the light source housing portion is located outboard of the target to locate the at least one light source for view by the shooter.

In another aspect, a target hit indicator circuit comprises a rail configured to be energized by a power supply coupled thereto. A normally open impact detection switch is configured to close in response to a projectile striking a target. A first transistor is electrically connected in the rail. The first transistor is configured to be in an initial OFF state when the power supply energizes the rail. The first transistor is configured to switch to change to an ON state responsive to closing of the impact detection switch. At least one light source is configured to be energized by the power supply via the rail responsive to the ON state of the first transistor.

Other objects and features of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective of a target hit indicator of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective of the target hit indicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of a steel target carrying the target hit indicator connected to a rear of the steel target and having a plurality of LEDs exposed outboard of an edge of the steel target;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective of the steel target and target hit indicator with an arrow showing movement of the target hit indicator for mounting on the rear of the steel target;

FIG. 5 is a perspective of the target hit indicator showing housing portions thereof separated to show internal components;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective of a printed circuit board assembly of the target hit indicator;

FIG. 7 is a circuit layout diagram of the printed circuit board assembly showing the front of the printed circuit board assembly and on which components from the front and rear of the printed circuit board assembly are visible to assist understanding of the circuitry;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example circuit of the printed circuit board assembly;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective of the target hit indicator showing LEDs thereof damaged from being shot;

FIG. 10 is an image of the printed circuit board assembly similar to FIG. 7 but showing an example condition in which the printed circuit board assembly is damaged from being shot; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective of an example target hit sensor of the target hit indicator.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a target hit indicator of the present disclosure is indicated generally by 10. As explained in further detail below, the target hit indicator 10 can be used to indicate to a shooter whether the shooter hit a target at which they fired a projectile (e.g., bullet, etc.). The target hit indicator 10 is configured to be mounted to and carried by the target. In one example, the target hit indicator 10 may be mounted to a steel target 12 intended to be hit by a firearm projectile. When the target hit indicator 10 senses a target impact, the target hit indicator alerts the user to indicate the hit. Among other advantages, the target hit indicator 10 has a construction that enables it to be inexpensive, durable, and simpler to use than conventional target hit indicators.

Although the present disclosure discusses use of the target hit indicator 10 with respect to a steel target and firearms, it will be appreciated that the target hit indicator could be used in other target contexts and with other types of equipment without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The target hit indicator 10 has a front shown facing out of the page in FIG. 1 and a rear facing out of the page in FIG. 2. The target hit indicator 10 comprises a housing 14 including front (first) and rear (second) housing shells 16, 18 that form a body of the target hit indicator and house components thereof. The body formed by the housing includes a main body portion 20A and an arm portion 20B extending laterally from the main body portion. The main body portion 20A houses several electronic components of the target hit indicator, and the arm 20B supports a plurality of LEDs D1-D10 (broadly, “at least one light source”) arranged in a row and selectively activated to indicate a target hit. When the target hit indicator 10 is mounted on the target 12, as shown in FIG. 3, substantially all of the target hit indicator is hidden behind and thus shielded by the target, except for the arm 20B with the plurality of LEDs so the LEDs can be directly visible from the shooter's location to confirm target hits.

The front of the target hit indicator 10 includes a target mount 30 configured to mount the target hit indicator on a target. In the illustrated embodiment, the mount 30 includes a target connector 32 comprising loop material secured (e.g., adhered) to the front of the main body. As shown in FIG. 4, hook material 34 is applied (adhered or otherwise secured) to a rear of the target 12 at a peripheral edge margin of the target. The arm 20B with the LEDs D1-D10 extends laterally outboard beyond the hook material 34 to position the LEDs to be located outboard of the edge of the target 12 when the target hit indicator 10 is mounted on the rear of the target. To install the target hit indicator 10 on the target 12, the user positions the target hit indicator in registration with the rear peripheral edge margin of the target and presses the main body 20A against the rear of the target such that the hook material mates with the loop material to form a releasable connection that holds the target hit indicator in position on the target such that the target carries the target hit indicator. The arrangement is such that the target hit indicator 10 is in position to sense hits on the target and to indicate such hits to the user. It will be appreciated that the locations of the hook and loop materials can be swapped on the target and hit indicator. Moreover, it will be appreciated that other types of mounts (e.g., other types of connectors) can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, the front and rear housing shells 16, 18 are shown separated to expose internal components. The front of the rear housing shell 18 is shown facing out of the page, and the rear of the front housing shell 16 is shown facing out of the page. The housing shells 16, 18 can be held together in an assembled state by suitable fasteners such as screws 40 (FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 5, the rear housing shell 18 includes a plurality of openings 42 that correspond with respective threaded openings 44 in the front housing shell for fastening the housing shells. The front and rear housing shells 16, 18 include respective segments that collectively form the main body portion 20A of the housing and respective segments that collectively form the arm portion 20B. The housing 14 houses a printed circuit board assembly 50, a battery holder 52, and other components. In FIG. 5, three batteries (broadly, at least one battery BT1) are shown installed in the battery holder 52 for powering the electrical components of the target hit indicator 10.

As shown in FIG. 6, the printed circuit board assembly 50 includes a plurality of resistors, capacitors, transistors, and other components on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board assembly can include other configurations (e.g., other circuit board structures) and numbers of printed circuit boards and/or components without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. A majority of the electronic components are provided on a main region 50A of the printed circuit board. The bank of LEDs D1-D10 is mounted to a peripheral edge margin or side region 50B of the printed circuit board located laterally outboard of the main region 50A. A dashed line B—B indicates a boundary between the main and side regions 50A, 50B. The boundary of the two regions corresponds to the location of the edge of the target 12 with respect to the printed circuit board when the target hit indicator is mounted on the target. The components on the main region 50A of the printed circuit board will be shielded and thus protected by the target 12, whereas the components on the side region 50B of the printed circuit board will be outboard of the target edge and thus exposed and at risk of damage from projectiles.

As shown in FIG. 7, the LEDs D1-D10 are provided with dedicated sets of leads for each LED. A group of positive leads 60 extends from a rail 62 on the main region 50A of the printed circuit board across the boundary B—B to respective LEDs on the side region 50B. A group of ground leads 66 extends from the respective LEDs back across the boundary B—B to respective resistors R1-R10 on the main region 50A. The arrangement is such that the leads 60, 66 for the LEDs are provided in parallel so if an LED is damaged by a projectile, the other LEDs will continue to function. The LEDs and the associated leads are spaced apart along the printed circuit board to increase likelihood that LEDs would survive even if others are shot. For example, FIG. 9 shows an instance where several LEDs have been shot and are no longer functioning but the remaining LEDs are still functioning. With reference to FIG. 10, an example is shown in which a portion of the circuitry has been shot and destroyed. LED D5 is completely destroyed. LED D6 may be destroyed. LED D4 is likely damaged, but the leads are still intact and the LED may function. The remaining undamaged LEDs and their leads are unaffected. None of the damage breaks the current path for those LEDs, and the bank of LEDs still retains 70% functionality because 70% of the LEDs are still able to be illuminated to indicate a target hit. In the illustrated embodiment, the positive leads 60 are provided on the back of the printed circuit board and the ground leads 66 are provided on the front of the printed circuit board such that when the board is damaged shorts are unlikely to occur. Other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, additional components of the circuitry will be introduced and functionality of the circuitry to activate the LEDs will be discussed in further detail. At least one battery BT1 powers the circuit 70. As shown in FIGS. 8A, 2, and 5, an on/off switch S2 can be used to disconnect the battery BT1 for storage when the target hit indicator 10 is not in use. For example, the switch S2 comprises a single pole double throw switch such that closing switch S2 across its terminals 1 and 2 electrically connects battery BT1 to an impact detector embodied by a vibration switch S1 (also labeled VSW). When battery BT1 is electrically connected, circuit is in the ON state. A pair of transistors Q1 and Q2 are normally OFF when circuit is in the ON state. In an embodiment, the transistors Q1 and Q2 are N-channel MOSFETs wherein standby current is at most the leakage current of the two MOSFETs (e.g., less than 200 mA). During operation, the vibration switch S1 (broadly, the “impact detector” or “hit sensor”) closes momentarily when the target is impacted. When vibration switch S1 is closed, a capacitor C1 is electrically connected to battery BT1, which charges the capacitor C1. The voltage on capacitor C1 turns on transistor Q1, which allows the battery voltage VBATT to supply VOSC, which powers an oscillator U1. A suitable integrated circuit embodying the oscillator U1 is available from Texas Instruments as part number NE555D.

In the illustrated embodiment, the oscillator U1 comprises a 555 timer integrated circuit known to those skilled in the art configured in an astable multivibrator mode. In the astable mode, oscillator U1 generates a pulsed digital output whose output frequency can be adjusted by means of an externally connected RC tank circuit. As shown in FIG. 8A, the RC tank circuit comprises resistors R11 and R12 and a capacitor C2 in this embodiment. The output of the oscillator U1 controls transistor Q2 (see FIG. 8B), which turns ON a bank of LED lamps D1-D10 electrically connected in parallel. Inasmuch as the pulsed digital output of oscillator U1 controls transistor Q2, the LED lamps turn ON and OFF in a flashing pattern. Advantageously, if one or more of the LED lamps is damaged (e.g., by a projectile or projectile fragment), the remaining LED lamps will continue to flash ON and OFF due to the parallel circuitry.

The transistor Q1, which supplies VOSC to power oscillator U1, is held on by the charge voltage of capacitor C1. Current flowing through a resistor R21 in parallel with capacitor C1, and the current IVOSC flowing to the rail and thus the LEDs, discharges capacitor C1. Once the charge on capacitor C1 is depleted, transistor Q1 turns OFF and the circuit 70 returns to standby mode with limited leakage current. Using the analog circuitry of circuit 70 to tether the vibration switch S1 to capacitor C1, which activates the transistor Q1 and, in turn, activates the LED lamps, provides a robust, reliable, and cost-effective solution that eliminates the need for computing chips (e.g., microcontrollers, processors, etc.).

As a result of the impact detector detecting an impact via the vibration switch S1, the target hit indicator circuit activates the one or more light sources (e.g., LED lamps D1 to D10) to visually indicate that the projectile hit the target. Other types of impact detectors (e.g., inertia switch, other types of vibration switches, etc.) can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In one example, as shown in FIG. 11, the vibration switch S1 includes a spring 80 and a pin 82. When the spring contacts the pin (due to the vibrations created by the projectile contacting or hitting the target), the vibration switch S1 temporarily closes, and the one or more light sources are activated. Desirably, the impact detector is not an accelerometer or other detector requiring use of a processor. However, in some embodiments, such impact detectors may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In view of the above, it will be appreciated that the target hit indicator 10 has the flash duration, flash rate, and duty cycle of the light sources controlled by analog timing circuits rather than a processor, thus reducing complexity and expense. The target hit indicator 10 is self-contained within the housing in a compact arrangement. Because the LEDs are arranged to be directly visible by the shooter, no reflector or prism is required to reflect light from the LEDs to be seen by the shooter. A small portion of the target hit indicator, namely the arm 20B with the LEDs D1-D10, is exposed and at risk of being shot, while the majority of the target hit indicator is protected by the target. In the event that the target hit indicator is shot, the circuit board is designed to that the LEDs are independently routed and will continue to operate despite others being shot or damaged. In the event all of the LEDs are destroyed, replacement of the target hit indicator is inexpensive.

In use, a user switches ON the target hit indicator 10 and mounts it to the back of a steel target 12 such that the arm 20B carrying the LEDs is exposed but the main body portion is shielded by the target. The housing 14 and housed printed circuit board extend outboard of an edge of the target to locate the LEDs to be seen by the shooter. The housing supports the power supply, hit detector, ON/OFF switch, and other electronic components to be shielded by the target.

It will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A target hit indicator for use with a target to indicate hits of the target to a shooter, the target hit indicator comprising:

a housing;

a target connector supported by the housing and configured to connect to the target;

an impact detector supported by the housing, the impact detector configured to detect hits of the target;

a plurality of light sources supported by the housing and operatively coupled to the impact detector to cause activation of the plurality of light sources to indicate the hits of the target, the plurality of light sources arranged with respect to the target connector to be outboard of the target to be visible by the shooter when the target connector is connected to the target.

2. A target hit indicator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises a plurality of LEDs.

3. A target hit indicator as set forth in claim 2, wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged in a row.

4. A target hit indicator as set forth in claim 2, wherein the housing defines a main body portion and an arm extending from the main body portion, the impact detector being housed by the main body portion, and the plurality of LEDs being carried by the arm.

5. A target hit indicator as set forth in claim 4, wherein the target connector is configured to connect to a rear of the target and is located with respect to the main body and the arm such that when the target connector is connected to the target the main body is shielded behind the target and the arm is exposed outboard of the target.

6. A target hit indicator as set forth in claim 4, further comprising a power source housed by the main body portion, and further comprising a group of positive leads extending from the main body portion to the arm, the group of positive leads operatively coupling the plurality of LEDs to the power source in parallel.

7. A target hit indicator as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a printed circuit board and a group of ground leads, wherein the group of ground leads extend from respective LEDs to the main body portion, the group of ground leads being on a first side of the printed circuit board, and the group of positive leads being on a second side of the printed circuit board opposite the first side.

8. A target hit indicator as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board having a first region carrying the plurality of light sources and located outboard of the target connector, the printed circuit board having a second region located behind the target connector, the printed circuit board extending from the first region to the second region.

9. A target hit indicator as set forth in claim 8, wherein the second region carries the impact detector.

10. A target hit indicator for use with a target to indicate hits of the target to a shooter, the target hit indicator comprising:

a housing including an impact detector housing portion and a light source housing portion;

at least one light source supported by the light source housing portion;

an impact detector supported by the impact detector housing portion;

a target connector configured to connect the housing to the target such that the impact detector housing portion is located behind the target and the light source housing portion is located outboard of the target to locate the at least one light source for view by the shooter.

11. A target hit indicator as set forth in claim 10, further comprising a printed circuit board having a first region carrying the at least one light source and located outboard of the target connector, the printed circuit board having a second region located behind the target connector, the printed circuit board extending from the first region to the second region.

12. A target hit indicator as set forth in claim 11, wherein the second region carries the impact detector.

13. A target hit indicator circuit comprising:

a rail configured to be energized by a power supply coupled thereto;

a normally open impact detection switch configured to close in response to a projectile striking a target;

a first transistor electrically connected in the rail, wherein the first transistor is configured to be in an initial OFF state when the power supply energizes the rail, and wherein the first transistor is configured to switch to change to an ON state responsive to closing of the impact detection switch;

at least one light source configured to be energized by the power supply via the rail responsive to the ON state of the first transistor.

14. The target hit indicator circuit of claim 13, wherein the rail is electrically connectable to the power supply via an ON/OFF switch.

15. The target hit indicator circuit of claim 13, wherein the impact detection switch comprises a vibration switch configured to momentarily close in response to the projectile striking the target.

16. The target hit indicator circuit of claim 13, further comprising a capacitor electrically connected in series between the power supply and the impact detection switch, wherein the capacitor is configured to be charged by the power supply when the impact detection switch closes, and wherein the first transistor is configured to switch to the ON state responsive to a voltage on the charged capacitor.

17. The target hit indicator circuit of claim 13, further comprising an oscillator configured to generate a pulsed digital output for controlling a second transistor, wherein the second transistor is controlled for selectively energizing the at least one light source.

18. The target hit indicator circuit of claim 17, wherein the first and second transistors each comprises an N-channel MOSFET.

19. The target hit indicator circuit of claim 17, further comprising an RC tank circuit electrically connected to the oscillator circuit, wherein the RC tank circuit is configured to adjust a frequency of the pulsed digital output of the oscillator circuit.