Live fire target modular support structure
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A target system comprising:
- a plurality of target modules, each of said modules having a dielectric support of selected shape defining a back surface with an electrically conductive strip backplane disposed on said back surface;
energizing means providing an electrical signal for passing a current through said conductive backplane of each said module so as to cause said backplane to generate a thermal image;
mechanical clamping means having oppositely disposed, relatively movable, insulated clamping surfaces for engaging and removably supporting said plurality of target modules relative to one-another so that said modules form a desired silhouette; and
means, including electrical contacts having tips protruding through said clamping surfaces, for automatically applying said electrical signal from said energizing means by contact of said tips to said conductive backplanes of said plurality of target modules when said modules are engaged by said clamping means, so as to cause said plurality of target modules to generate a thermal image in the form of said desired silhouette.
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Abstract
A modular target system support structure for use with modular target systems simultaneously provides support and electrical contact to a plurality of target modules upon mounting and securing of the same in place on the support structure. In one embodiment, the modular target system support structure includes mechanical clamps for securing the plurality of target modules in place and electrical contacts, positioned on the mechanical clamps, for making electrical contact with the target modules automatically upon mounting and securing of the same in place. Furthermore, the modular target system support structure requires no tools for mounting or replacing target modules on or off the target field.
25 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A target system comprising:
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a plurality of target modules, each of said modules having a dielectric support of selected shape defining a back surface with an electrically conductive strip backplane disposed on said back surface; energizing means providing an electrical signal for passing a current through said conductive backplane of each said module so as to cause said backplane to generate a thermal image; mechanical clamping means having oppositely disposed, relatively movable, insulated clamping surfaces for engaging and removably supporting said plurality of target modules relative to one-another so that said modules form a desired silhouette; and means, including electrical contacts having tips protruding through said clamping surfaces, for automatically applying said electrical signal from said energizing means by contact of said tips to said conductive backplanes of said plurality of target modules when said modules are engaged by said clamping means, so as to cause said plurality of target modules to generate a thermal image in the form of said desired silhouette. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A target system comprising:
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a plurality of target modules, each of said modules having a dielectric support of selected shape defining a target surface with at least one electrically conductive strip disposed on said target surface; sensing means providing an electrical signal for generating a pulsed electrical effect on said conductive strip on each said target module so as to detect the size and location of any hits through said target module; mechanical clamping means having oppositely disposed, relatively movable, insulated clamping surfaces for engaging and removably supporting said plurality of target modules relative to one-another so that said modules form a desired silhouette; and means, including electrical contacts having tips protruding through said clamping surfaces, for automatically applying said electrical signal from said sensing means by contact of said tips to said conductive strips of sad plurality of target modules when said modules are engaged by said clamping means, so as to detect size and location of any hits through said plurality of target modules. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A target system comprising:
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a plurality of target modules, each of said target modules having a dielectric support of selected shape defining mutually parallel target and back surfaces, a plurality of electrically conductive strips disposed on said target surface in generally parallel, spaced relationship, and a conductive backplane disposed on said back surface; sensing means providing an electrical signal for generating a pulsed electrical effect on said conductive strips on each said target module so as to detect the size and location of any hits through said target module; energizing means providing an electrical signal for passing a current through said conductive backplane of each said module so as to cause said backplane to generate a thermal image; mechanical clamping means having oppositely disposed, relatively movable, insulated clamping surfaces for engaging and removably supporting said plurality of target modules relative to one-another so that said modules form a desired silhouette; and means, including electrical contacts having tips protruding through said clamping surfaces, for automatically applying said electrical signals from said sensing means and said energizing means by contact of said tips to said plurality of target modules when said modules are engaged by said clamping means, so as to detect size and location of any hits through said plurality of target modules and so as to cause said plurality of target modules to generate a thermal image in the form of said desired silhouette, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. In a target system having a target module with an edge, an electrically conductive strip located on said module with at least a portion adjacent said edge, and means remote from said module for providing an electrical signal, a target module support structure comprising:
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a body member; first and second oppositely disposed insulated clamping elements; means mounting said clamping elements on said body member for selective movement of said elements toward one another to a position to engage and removably support said target module by said edge inserted between said elements; means, connected to said signal providing means and including electrical contacts having tips located to protrude out from said clamping elements, for automatically electrically connecting said signal providing means to said strip when said elements are moved to engage said target module; and means for releasably locking said clamping elements in said target module engaging position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. In a target system having a target module with an edge, an electrically conductive strip located on said module with at least a portion adjacent said edge, and means remote from said module for providing an electrical signal, a target module support structure comprising:
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a beam; a first clamping plate fixedly mounted on said beam; a second clamping plate; means mounting said second plate on said beam for selective movement pivotally and normally relative to said first plate from a module unclamping position to a module clamping position in which said target module is engaged and removably supported by said edge inserted between said plates; means, connected to said signal providing means, for automatically electrically connecting said signal providing means to said strip when said second plate is moved to said module clamping position; and means for releasably locking said second plate in said clamping position. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification