Military target system

• US 7,815,192 B1
• Filed: 07/02/2009
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Janus Global Operations LLC (Caliburn International LLC)
• Original Assignee: EOD Technology Inc. (Caliburn International LLC)
• Inventors: Brown, William R. Jr., Kreiman, Kerry L., Englert, Mark C., Hughs, Matthew G., Buttrey, Donald Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham; Mark S
• Application Number:
  US12/496,765
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: 273386-392, 273403-410
• US Class Current: 273/390
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 7/04 disappearing or moving when hit exploding targets F41J5/26; exploding clay-pigeon targets F41J9/165
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 9/02 Land-based targets , e.g. inflatable targets supported by fluid pressure

Abstract

A target system having a base, a stationary member inclined from the base and having a cap, a rotating tube having a cap and positioned over the stationary tube, a bearing between the caps of the stationary member and the rotating tube to permit substantially free rotation of the rotating tube, and a plurality of target sides secured to the rotating tube, with impact of a fired round onto one of the target sides initiating movement of the rotating tube relative to the stationary member.

Claims

1. A portable military target system to withstand impact by military rounds fired by a military weapon, the system comprising:

a base;

a stationary member having a length and fixedly secured to the base and extending upwardly therefrom;

a rotating member positioned over the stationary member and having a length that is less than the length of the stationary member;

a bearing located between the stationary member and the rotating member to permit substantially free rotation of the rotating member relative to the stationary member;

a plurality of target sides spaced apart around and fixedly secured to the rotating member in an outwardly extending orientation outwardly extending orientation so as to promote rotational movement of the rotating member when hit by a fired round; and

a plurality of side shields, each one of the side shields being secured to adjacent ones of the target sides and provided by elongate rectangles of a length to substantially cover the rotating member without interfering with rotation thereof, and of a width to contact adjacent ones of the target sides close to the rotating member, but slightly spaced from the rotating member to substantially shield the rotating member from being hit by rounds.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of peripheral sidewalls extending upwardly and outwardly from the periphery of the base and configured to provide a shield structure to protect lower portions of the target system from impact from military rounds, with the angle of the sidewalls deflecting rounds away from the target system.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sled secured to the base for facilitating relocation of the target system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the stationary member is inclined relative to the base so as to lean relative to vertical.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the stationary member is inclined at an angle of about 10 degrees relative to vertical.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the stationary member comprises a tube.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the rotating member comprises a tube.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the target sides have a length substantially corresponding to, but slightly longer than, the length of the rotating member.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the target sides are configured to resemble a human shape.