Moving target activated by laser light

• US 10,113,836 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2017
• Issued: 10/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crimson Trace Corporation Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Crimson Trace Corporation Incorporated
• Inventors: Moore, Larry E., Moore, Aaron
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAHAM, MARK S
• Application Number:
  US15/787,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20180135944A1
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• Field of Search: 273371-377, 273381, 463 5
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2655 in which the light beam is sent from the weapon to the target
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/02 Photo-electric hit-detector systems comprising a light-emitting device for simulating the firing of a gun F41G3/2622; detecting by optical means G01V8/10
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/08 Infrared hit-indicating systems
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/18 Targets having hit-indicating means actuated or moved mechanically when the target has been hit, e.g. discs or flags the target as a whole disappearing or moving when hit F41J7/04
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/24 Targets producing a particular effect when hit, e.g. detonation of pyrotechnic charge, bell ring, photograph

Abstract

A laser targeting apparatus rests on a surface and moves, such as by vibrating, wobbling, or shaking, when struck by laser light of sufficient intensity. The apparatus is designed not to fall over, so a user does not have to move to the apparatus and pick it up after a strike. The apparatus has a body that includes a structure, which is preferably one or more printed circuit boards including light sensors, for detecting strikes of laser light, and a motor. When a strike of laser light is detected, power is provided to the motor, which vibrates and causes the apparatus to move.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting a strike of laser light, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a body having an outer surface, a top, a bottom, and at least a portion of the outer surface being configured to permit laser light to pass through, the body having a first mode in which it does not vibrate and a second mode in which it vibrates;

(b) one or more printed circuit boards inside of the outer surface, wherein each printed circuit board has a plurality of light sensors configured to detect a laser light strike;

(c) a power source in electrical communication with the one or more circuit boards;

(d) a motor in electrical communication with the one or more circuit boards, the motor having;

(i) a non-operating mode in which it does not receive power from the power source, and (ii) an operating mode in which it receives power from the power source and vibrates for a predetermined period, which causes the body to be in its second mode in which it vibrates, and wherein the motor switches from its non-operating mode to its operating mode when one or more of the light sensors detect a laser light strike;

(e) the motor at least partially retained in a motor sleeve and the motor sleeve is configured to vibrate when the motor vibrates;

a top cap having a downwardly-extending retainer, and the motor sleeve is at least partially received in the downwardly extending retainer, such that when the motor vibrates, the motor sleeve, the retainer, and the top cap each vibrate.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer surface is cylindrical.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer surface is plastic.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portion of the outer surface being configured to permit laser light to pass through is translucent.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 that has a plurality of printed circuit boards.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein there are three printed circuit boards arranged in a triangular pattern.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source is one or more batteries.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the power source is a single, 9V battery.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 that further includes a switch that activates the power source.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body has apertures at the top and apertures at the bottom, the apertures for receiving fasteners.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the body has three apertures at the top and three apertures at the bottom.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body has a height, a center of the height, a portion above the center of the height, a portion below the center of the height, and the motor is positioned in the body at the center of the height or at least partially above the center of the height.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the motor is positioned entirely above the center of the height.

14. The apparatus of claim 7 that has a bottom compartment in which the one or more batteries are positioned.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the bottom has a removable plate removable to access the bottom compartment.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body has an opening at the top and an opening at the bottom.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the top cap to covers the opening at the top.

18. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the portion of the outer surface being configured to permit laser light to pass through is colored red.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the top cap has three openings, the body top has three apertures, and one of each of the three openings aligns with one of each of the three apertures.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein a fastener is received through each of the three openings and retained in the corresponding aperture.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the fasteners are screws.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body has an inner annular surface and there is a cavity inside of the inner annular surface.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more printed circuit boards, power source, and motor are in the cavity.