Proxy target system

• US 8,777,226 B1
• Filed: 01/08/2013
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Hubert Jr. Decker
• Original Assignee: Robert Hubert Jr. Decker
• Inventors: Decker, Robert Hubert Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAHAM, MARK S
• Application Number:
  US13/736,737
• Time in Patent Office: 553 Days
• Field of Search: 273/371, 273403-410, 273/440.1, 273/453, 273/454, 434/11, 434/16, 463/2, 463/5
• US Class Current: 273/406
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 11/00 Target ranges timetables, lists or forms for shooter enlistment B42D15/0066
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/14 Apparatus for signalling hits or scores to the shooter, e.g. manually operated, or for communication between target and shooter; Apparatus for recording hits or scores
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/18 Targets having hit-indicating means actuated or moved mechanically when the target has been hit, e.g. discs or flags the target as a whole disappearing or moving when hit F41J7/04
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 7/06 Bobbing targets, i.e. targets intermittently or unexpectedly appearing

Abstract

A proxy target system provides, in the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of cover barriers and proxy barriers. Each cover barrier is sized and configured for allowing at least one shooter to selectively take cover therebehind. Each proxy barrier is associated with a corresponding one of the cover barriers. Each of the cover barriers provides a means for tracking the associated shooter when positioned therebehind. Relatedly, each of the proxy barriers provides an at least one target positioned therebehind and configured for mimicking the movement and exposure of the shooter relative to the associated cover barrier. Thus, with the proxy barriers positioned a distance downrange from the corresponding cover barriers, two or more shooters may position themselves behind respective cover barriers and engage in a shootout with one another by shooting at each other'"'"'s downrange targets rather than directly at one another, thereby eliminating any risk of injury or death.

Claims

1. A proxy target system for allowing two or more shooters to engage in a shootout with one another, the system comprising:

a plurality of cover barriers, each cover barrier sized and configured for allowing at least one shooter to selectively take cover therebehind;

a plurality of proxy barriers, each proxy barrier being associated with, and positioned a distance away from, a corresponding one of the cover barriers;

each of the cover barriers providing a means for tracking and determining if and when the associated at least one shooter, when positioned behind the cover barrier, should move part or all of his body out from behind the cover barrier; and

each of the proxy barriers providing an at least one target positioned therebehind and configured for mimicking the movement and exposure of the at least one shooter relative to the associated cover barrier behind which the shooter is positioned;

whereby, with the proxy barriers positioned a distance downrange from the corresponding cover barriers, two or more shooters may position themselves behind respective cover barriers and engage in a shootout with one another by shooting at each other'"'"'s downrange targets rather than shooting directly at one another, thereby eliminating any risk of injury or death to the shooters.

2. The proxy target system of claim 1, wherein each means for tracking the associated shooter comprises an at least one sensor positioned on or near the associated cover barrier.

3. The proxy target system of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor is in communication with an automated controller configured for receiving signals from the sensor related to the position of the shooter relative to the associated cover barrier, wherein the controller is capable of monitoring the position of each shooter, relative to his respective cover barrier, and determining if and when each shooter should expose part or all of his body out from behind his respective cover barrier.

4. The proxy target system of claim 3, wherein the controller is further in communication with each of the targets, the controller being configured for selectively causing each target to mimic the movement and exposure of the at least one shooter relative to the associated cover barrier behind which the shooter is positioned, based on the signals being received from the respective sensors.

5. The proxy target system of claim 4, wherein each sensor is further capable of detecting the distance between the shooter and the respective cover barrier, thereby enabling the controller to cause the associated target to be positioned the same distance away from the corresponding proxy barrier.

6. The proxy target system of claim 1, wherein each proxy barrier is of the same dimensions as the corresponding cover barrier.

7. The proxy target system of claim 1, comprising two or more spaced apart cover barriers and a corresponding number of spaced apart proxy barriers for each shooter.

8. The proxy target system of claim 7, further comprising an at least one transition target positioned substantially between the at least two spaced apart proxy barriers and configured for mimicking the associated shooter'"'"'s movement between the at least two cover barriers.

9. The proxy target system of claim 8, further comprising an at least one transition sensor positioned and configured for detecting and tracking each shooter'"'"'s movements between the associated cover barriers.

10. The proxy target system of claim 1, wherein each target is pivotally engaged with a rotatable, articulating, telescoping arm configured for selectively moving the target between exposed and hidden positions.

11. The proxy target system of claim 1, wherein the proxy barrier of each shooter is positioned directly downrange from the cover barrier of the other shooter, thereby allowing each shooter to fire directly downrange at his opposing shooter'"'"'s proxy target as if he were firing at the opposing shooter himself.

12. The proxy target system of claim 1, wherein each cover barrier is positioned substantially adjacent to one another, with a protective divider wall positioned therebetween, the divider wall configured for both protecting the shooters from any live fire as well as obscuring their view of one another.

13. The proxy target system of claim 1, wherein the system is operable over a network thereby allowing shooters to engage in simulated firefights remotely with one another.

14. The proxy target system of claim 13, wherein the cover barrier of a first shooter and the proxy barrier of an opposing second shooter are positioned in a first location, while the cover barrier of the second shooter and the proxy barrier of the first shooter are positioned in a second location remote from the first location.

15. The proxy target system of claim 1, further comprising:

an at least one microphone positioned proximal each proxy barrier and configured for capturing any sounds created by return fire; and

an at least one speaker positioned proximal each cover barrier and configured for audibly reproducing the sounds captured by the microphone positioned proximal the corresponding proxy barrier.

16. The proxy target system of claim 1, wherein each target is configured for automatically moving into the hidden position upon being hit by the opposing shooter.

17. The proxy target system of claim 1, further comprising a means for alerting shooters when a target has been hit.

18. The proxy target system of claim 1, further comprising an at least one video camera configured for capturing the activities of each shooter and their associated at least one target, and displaying the footage on an at least one display screen.

19. A proxy target system for allowing two or more shooters to engage in a shootout with one another, the system comprising:

a plurality of cover barriers, each cover barrier sized and configured for allowing at least one shooter to selectively take cover therebehind;

a plurality of proxy barriers, each proxy barrier being associated with, and positioned a distance away from, a corresponding one of the cover barriers;

each of the cover barriers providing an at least one sensor positioned and configured for determining if and when the associated at least one shooter, when positioned behind the cover barrier, should move part or all of his body out from behind the cover barrier;

each of the proxy barriers providing an at least one target positioned therebehind and configured for mimicking the movement and exposure of the at least one shooter relative to the associated cover barrier behind which the shooter is positioned; and

an automated controller in communication with each of the sensors and targets, the controller configured for receiving signals from the sensors, related to the position of the associated shooter relative to the associated cover barrier, and selectively causing the associated targets to move into an appropriate position behind the associated proxy barriers so as to mimic the position of the associated shooter;

whereby, with the proxy barriers positioned a distance downrange from the corresponding cover barriers, two or more shooters may position themselves behind respective cover barriers and engage in a shootout with one another by shooting at each other'"'"'s downrange targets rather than shooting directly at one another, thereby eliminating any risk of injury or death to the shooters.

20. A proxy target system for allowing two or more shooters to engage in a shootout with one another, the system comprising:

a first cover barrier sized and configured for allowing a first one of the shooters to selectively take cover therebehind;

a second cover barrier sized and configured for allowing a second one of the shooters to selectively take cover therebehind;

each of the first and second cover barriers providing an at least one sensor positioned and configured for determining if and when the associated shooter, when positioned behind the respective cover barrier, should move part or all of his body out from behind the respective cover barrier;

a first proxy barrier positioned a distance directly downrange from the second cover barrier, the first proxy barrier providing an at least one target positioned therebehind and configured for mimicking the movement and exposure of the first shooter relative to the first cover barrier;

a second proxy barrier positioned a distance directly downrange from the first cover barrier, the second proxy barrier providing an at least one target positioned therebehind and configured for mimicking the movement and exposure of the second shooter relative to the second cover barrier;

whereby, with the second proxy barrier positioned a distance downrange from the first cover barrier, and the first proxy barrier positioned a distance downrange from the second cover barrier, the first and second shooters may position themselves behind their respective cover barriers and engage in a shootout with one another by shooting at each other'"'"'s downrange targets rather than shooting directly at one another, thereby eliminating any risk of injury or death to the shooters.