Method for using a multifunction target actuator

• US 20100013162A1
• Filed: 09/16/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Action Target Incorporated (Action Target Holding Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Action Target Incorporated (Action Target Holding Corp.)
• Inventors: Bateman, Kyle, Wright, Thomas, Marshall, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,914,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 273/406
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 7/06 Bobbing targets, i.e. targets intermittently or unexpectedly appearing

Abstract

A multifunction target actuator allows a bullet target to be selectively presented to a shooter such that a first side may be presented, a second side opposite the first side may be presented, and the target may be oriented so as not to be presented to the shooter. The actuator allows for quick and accurate movement of the target.

Claims

1. A method of operating a target actuator comprising:

selecting a target actuator configured for attachment to a target and having a first piston assembly, and a second piston assembly;

attaching a target to the actuator;

selectively actuating one of the first and second piston assemblies to thereby rotate the target between a first position and a second position; and

selectively actuating the one of the first and second piston assemblies to thereby rotate the target between the first position and a third position.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the piston assemblies comprise pneumatic piston assemblies.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises actuating one of the first and second piston assemblies to thereby rotate the target from the third position to the second position.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the method further comprises actuating the other of the first and second piston assemblies to thereby rotate the target from the second position to the first position.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the piston assemblies comprise a cylinder, piston, and rod connected to the piston, and wherein the first piston assembly rod is connected to the second piston assembly cylinder and the second rod is operatively connected to the target such that moving the first piston and rod moves the second piston assembly and thereby rotates the target.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein movement of the piston assemblies linearly moves a cable and thereby causes a pulley to rotate.

42. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises moving the target in increments of approximately 90 degrees.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the method comprises using a single piston and piston cylinder to move the target 90 degrees between the first and second position and using a single piston and cylinder to move the target 90 degrees between the second position and the third position.

44. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises disposing the target so as to be parallel with a line of fire of a shooter so that the target is in a first position and is not displayed for shooting to the shooter, and selectively actuating one of the piston assemblies to turn the target 90 degrees in one direction to place the target in a second position and thereby show one face of the target to the shooter and selectively actuating one or more of the piston assemblies to turn the target 90 degrees in the other direction into a third position to thereby show an opposing face of the target to the shooter.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the method comprises using a third piston assembly to rotate the target an additional ninety degrees from the second position or the third position to thereby move the target into a fourth position wherein the target is generally parallel to the shooter'"'"'s line of fire.

46. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the piston assemblies is attached to a drive wire, and wherein actuating one of the piston assemblies moves the piston assembly attached to the drive wire to thereby move the drive wire.

47. The method according to claim 46, wherein the drive wire is wrapped around a pulley which turns a shaft to thereby turn the target.

48. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the piston assemblies is attached to a drive gear, and wherein actuating one of the piston assemblies moves the piston assembly attached to the drive gear to thereby rotate a gear and a shaft supporting the target.

49. The method according to claim 1, wherein the piston assemblies are rotary pistons and wherein rotating one of the rotary pistons rotates the other piston assembly and a shaft connected to at least one of the piston assemblies.

50. The method according to claim 49, wherein each of the rotary pistons is configured to rotate approximately 90 degrees when actuatated.

7-28. -28. (canceled)

29. A method for rotating a target between a first position, a second position approximately 90 degrees from the first position, and a third position approximately 180 degrees from the second position, the method comprising selectively actuating a first piston assembly and a second piston assembly.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the method further comprises actuating piston assemblies wherein the second piston assembly is moved by actuation of the first piston assembly.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the method further comprises moving a drive line in response to movement of the second piston assembly, such that movement of the drive line causes rotational movement of the target.

32. The method according to claim 29, wherein the method comprises pneumatically actuating the first piston assembly and the second piston assembly.

33-41. -41. (canceled)

51. A method for training a shooter, the method comprising:

Selecting a target having a first face and a second face;

Selectively actuating the target to show the first face or the second face to the shooter.

52. The method according to claim 51, wherein the first face has an image representing a threat and the second face has an image which does not represent a threat and selectively showing the face to the user to force the user to quickly determine whether to fire at the target based on the image being presented.

53. The method according to claim 51, wherein the target is held in a first position so as to be generally parallel to a line of fire and then selectively turned into a second position to show one side of the target or a third position to show an opposing side of the target.

54. The method according to claim 53, wherein the method further comprises turning the target from either the second position or the third position 90 degrees into a forth position in which the target is disposed generally parallel with a line of fire of the shooter.