Method for advancing and retracting a target
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for advancing and retracting a target, the method comprising:
- releasably engaging a target with a catch;
moving the target from a first, retracted position toward a second, extended position while biasing the target toward the first, retracted position, wherein moving the target from a first, retracted position to a second, extended position is accomplished by movement of the catch which engages the target;
releasing the target from the catch when impacted by a bullet at any point between the retracted position and the extended position to return the target to the first, retracted position; and
sensing the location of the catch using at least one sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An omnidirectional target system includes a target movable between a retracted position and an extended position and an actuation mechanism for moving the target to the extended position, the target and the actuation mechanism being releaseable so that the target can be moved back into the retracted position despite movement of the actuation mechanism.
174 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for advancing and retracting a target, the method comprising:
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releasably engaging a target with a catch; moving the target from a first, retracted position toward a second, extended position while biasing the target toward the first, retracted position, wherein moving the target from a first, retracted position to a second, extended position is accomplished by movement of the catch which engages the target; releasing the target from the catch when impacted by a bullet at any point between the retracted position and the extended position to return the target to the first, retracted position; and sensing the location of the catch using at least one sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for manufacturing a target system, the method comprising:
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selecting a base to support the target system; connecting a target to the base, wherein the target is configured to be movable between a retracted position and an extended position and wherein the target is presented to a shooter in the extended position; selecting a catch configured to engage the target and move the target into the extended position; and attaching a biasing member to the target, wherein the biasing member is configured to move the target back into the retracted position; wherein the target is configured to only move in a substantially linear path when moving from the retracted position to the extended position and from the extended position to the retracted position; and wherein the biasing member includes a pneumatic cylinder and a shaft extending out of the pneumatic cylinder, wherein the biasing member is configured such that movement of the shaft out of the cylinder creates a pressure in the cylinder. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for manufacturing a target system, the method comprising:
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selecting a base to support the target system; connecting a target to the base, wherein the target is configured to be movable between a retracted position and an extended position and wherein the target is presented to a shooter in the extended position; selecting a catch configured to engage the target and move the target into the extended position; attaching a biasing member to the target, wherein the biasing member is configured to move the target back into the retracted position; wherein the target is configured to only move in a substantially linear path when moving from the retracted position to the extended position and from the extended position to the retracted position; and wherein the catch includes a plurality of steps. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for extending and retracting a target, the method comprising:
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releasably engaging a target with a release mechanism; moving the target from a retracted position toward an extended position using a pneumatic actuation mechanism while biasing the target toward the retracted position; and releasing the target from the release mechanism when impacted by a bullet at any point between the retracted position and the extended position to return the target to the retracted position; wherein the release mechanism includes a plurality of engagement surfaces for engaging the target; and wherein impacting the target with a first bullet causes the target to release from a first engagement surface of the plurality of engagement surfaces and thereafter engage a second engagement surface of the plurality of the engagement surfaces, and wherein impacting the target with a second bullet causes the target to release from the second engagement surface. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method for advancing and retracting a target, the method comprising:
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releasably engaging a target with a catch; moving the target from a first, retracted position toward a second, extended position while biasing the target toward the first, retracted position, wherein moving the target from a first, retracted position to a second, extended position is accomplished by linear movement of the catch which engages the target; releasing the target from the catch when impacted by a bullet at any point between the retracted position and the extended position to return the target to the first, retracted position; and sensing the catch'"'"'s location using at least one sensor; wherein the catch continues to move to the second, extended position when the target is impacted by a bullet and released from the catch. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method for advancing and retracting a target, the method comprising:
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releasably engaging a target with a catch; moving the target from a first, retracted position toward a second, extended position while biasing the target toward the first, retracted position, wherein moving the target from a first, retracted position to a second, extended position is accomplished by linear movement of the catch which engages the target; releasing the target from the catch when impacted by a bullet at any point between the retracted position and the extended position to return the target to the first, retracted position; wherein the catch continues to move to the second, extended position when the target is impacted by a bullet and released from the catch; and wherein impacting the target with a first bullet causes the target to release from a first engagement surface of the plurality of engagement surfaces and thereafter engage a second engagement surface of the plurality of the engagement surfaces, and wherein impacting the target with a second bullet causes the target to release from the second engagement surface.
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Specification