TARGET SYSTEM

• US 20160209184A1
• Filed: 01/15/2016
• Published: 07/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Action Target Incorporated (Action Target Holding Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Action Target Incorporated (Action Target Holding Corp.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Devin, Hess, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 9,927,216 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 1/00 Targets; Target stands; Target holders F41J2/00 - F41J11/00 take precedence; targets combined with bullet catchers F41J13/02
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 1/10 Target stands; Target holders
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 7/04 disappearing or moving when hit exploding targets F41J5/26; exploding clay-pigeon targets F41J9/165
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0018 panel clamping or fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2007/186 suspended, e.g. secured to the ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/22 for rotatably or swingably mounting, e.g. for boards adapted to be rotated by the wind

Abstract

A target system includes a blocking plate with one or more openings through which bullets are fired and one or more targets for being struck by the bullets disposed behind the blocking plate and generally in line with the one or more openings. The target system includes a slotted bracket which limits the range of movement of the target after it has been struck by a projectile. The slotted bracket also provides for tool-less attachment and removal of the targets from the blocking plate.

Claims

1. A target system comprising:

a blocking plate having at least one opening formed therein;

a target disposed generally behind the blocking plate, the target having a tab; and

a slotted bracket disposed behind the blocking plate for receiving the tabs of the target, the bracket defining an opening, a rotational pocket for receiving the tab and a channel extending from the opening to the rotational pocket.

2. The target system of claim 1, wherein the tab is rectangular in cross section.

3. The target system of claim 1, wherein the target system comprises a first target and a second target, the first target being visually distinguishable from the second target.

4. The target system of claim 1, wherein the target system comprises a first target having a first mass and a second target having a second mass, wherein the first mass is greater than the second mass.

5. The target system of claim 1, wherein the slotted bracket comprises a shaped rotational pocket disposed in communication with the channel in the bracket having an opening opposite the rotational pocket.

6. The target system of claim 5, wherein the shaped rotational pocket is configured to limit rotational movement of the target between about 60 degrees and 80 degrees from its starting point.

7. The target system of claim 1, wherein the slotted bracket comprises a first slotted bracket and a second slotted bracket spaced a distance apart from each other for receiving the tabs, and the target has a main width and a maximum width, and wherein the distance between the first slotted bracket and the second slotted bracket is substantially the same as the main width but less than the maximum width of the target.

8. The target system of claim 7, wherein the slotted bracket comprises an entry projection and a retaining projection, and wherein the entry projection and the retaining projection limit movement of the tab.

9. A bullet target comprising:

a blocking plate having an opening there through;

a target disposed generally behind the blocking plate and in line with the opening, the target having tabs; and

a slotted bracket wherein the target is removably attached to the slotted bracket without the use of tools.

10. The bullet target of claim 9, wherein the slotted bracket comprises a shaped slot for receiving one of the tabs.

11. The bullet target of claim 10, wherein the shaped slot is comprised of at least one portion having an approximate quarter circle shape in which the tab can rotate.

12. The bullet target of claim 11, wherein the approximate quarter circle shape limits a rotational movement of the tab between about 60 degrees and 80 degrees from its starting point.

13. The bullet target of claim 9, wherein the blocking plate comprises a plurality of openings.

14. The bullet target of claim 13, wherein the blocking plate has a plurality of sides, and wherein at least one of the opening of the plurality of openings comprises a cut-away portion extending in from one of the sides of the plurality of sides of the blocking plate.

15. The bullet target of claim 9, wherein the tab is removably attachable to the slotted brackets without the use of tools.

16. The bullet target of claim 15, wherein the bullet target is mounted at an angle between ten and twenty degrees from perpendicular.

17. A method of manufacturing a modifiable target system, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a blocking plate having an opening therethrough;

disposing a slotted bracket for receiving a target behind the blocking plate; and

selectively attaching a first target or a second target to the slotted bracket such that either the first target or the second target is substantially behind the blocking plate and in general alignment with the opening;

wherein at least one target has a tab, and at least one slotted bracket has a shaped slot, and wherein the shaped slot engages the tab in a manner that allows limited rotational movement of the first target and the second target; and

wherein selective attachment of the first target or the second target to the slotted bracket does not require the use of tools.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first target is visually distinguishable from the second target.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first target has a mass that is greater than the second target.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the method further comprises the step of disposing a target stand onto the blocking plate.

21. A bracket for holding a target, the bracket having a channel formed therein, the channel having an opening for inserting a tab of the target, a rotational pocket for holding the tab and allowing the tab to rotate less than 360 degrees while the tab remains in the rotational pocket, and the channel connecting the opening to the rotational pocket.