Multifunction target actuator

• US 8,550,465 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2006
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• 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: Wright, Thomas, Marshall, Thomas, Bateman, Kyle
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAHAM, MARK S
• Application Number:
  US11/506,413
• Publication Number:
  US 20120091661A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,609 Days
• Field of Search: 273403-410, 273/359, 273366-370, 273390-392, 911/67.R, 911/68, 911/67.A
• 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 target actuator comprising:

a bullet target having a first side and a second side, the bullet target being movable to a first position wherein neither the first side nor the second side of the target is presented to a shooter, a second position wherein the first side of the target is presented to a shooter, and a third position wherein the second side of the target opposite the first side of the target is presented to a shooter;

a shaft coupled to the bullet target and configured for rotating the target between the first position, the second position, and the third position;

a first piston assembly configured to rotate the shaft by about 90 degrees;

a second piston assembly configured to rotate the shaft by about 90 degrees beyond the rotation caused by the first piston assembly.

2. The target actuator according to claim 1, wherein the piston assemblies are pneumatic.

3. The target actuator according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the piston assemblies is linear and wherein the shaft is attached to a wheel which converts the linear movement to rotational movement.

4. The target actuator according to claim 1, further comprising a pulley attached to the shaft and a cable extended at least partially around the pulley, wherein extension and retraction of the first and second piston assemblies move the cable to thereby rotate the pulley.

5. The target actuator of claim 1, wherein the first piston assembly consists of a single piston and a single cylinder and wherein the second piston assembly consists of a single piston and a single cylinder, each of the first piston assembly and the second position assembly being configured to move the drive device an equal distance.

6. The target actuator of claim 1, wherein the first piston assembly and the second piston assembly are configured such that the target can only be moved between positions at intervals of approximately 90 degrees.

7. The target actuator of claim 1, wherein the target is substantially planar.

8. A multifunction target actuator comprising:

a target configured for being shot at by a user;

a target drive connected to the target for rotating the target between a first position, a second position, and a third position, the second position being offset approximately 90 degrees from the first position and the third position being offset approximately 90 degrees from the second position;

a first actuator for moving the shaft between the first position and the second position, the first actuator being configured to stop the target only in the first position or the second position; and

a second actuator for moving the target between the second position and the third position or the first position and the second position depending on the position of the second actuator, the actuator being configured so that actuation of the actuator rotates the target 90 degrees.

9. The multifunction actuator of claim 8, wherein the first actuator and second actuator comprise a first piston and a second piston.

10. The multifunction actuator of claim 8, wherein the first actuator is connected to the target drive, and where in the second actuator is connected to the first actuator.

11. The multifunction actuator of claim 10, wherein actuation of the second actuator moves the first actuator.

12. The multifunction actuator of claim 11, wherein the first actuator is mounted to a bracket, and wherein the second actuator pivots the bracket.

13. The multifunction actuator of claim 9, wherein the first piston is operatively connected to the target drive and the second piston is operatively connected to the first piston.

14. The multifunction actuator of claim 8, further comprising a third actuator for moving the target between the third position and a fourth position.

15. The multifunction actuator of claim 8, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator move in a single linear direction, and wherein the target drive comprises a cable extending around a pulley, and wherein the first actuator and second actuator move the cable to thereby rotate the pulley.

16. The multifunction actuator of claim 8, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator move in a single linear direction, and wherein the target drive comprises a chain extending around a sprocket, and wherein the first actuator and second actuator move the chain to thereby rotate the sprocket.

17. The target actuator of claim 8, further comprising a third actuator and wherein each of the first, second and third actuators extend substantially the same length to thereby move the target in 90 degree increments.

18. A multifunction target actuator comprising:

a target drive having a shaft configured for rotating a target between a first position, a second position, and a third position, the second position being offset approximately 90 degrees from the first position and the third position being offset approximately 90 degrees from the second position;

a first piston configured to rotate the shaft 90 degrees when extended or retracted, and a second piston attached to and carried by the first piston, the second piston configured to rotate the shaft 90 degrees when extended or retracted; and

a drive train connected to at least one of the pistons for converting linear movement of the pistons into rotational movement of the shaft.

19. The multifunction target actuator of claim 18, wherein the drive train comprises at least one gear.

20. The multi-function target actuator of claim 18, wherein the drive train comprises a cable wrapped partially around a pulley.