Abstract:
A target trap having improved portability is provided. The target trap is suitable for use in reality-based training methods and may advantageously capture pellets and marking rounds for improved clean-up and cost-saving re-use of ammunition. The target trap has a replaceable strike panel and face panel and allows for paper or cardboard targets of various dimensions to be hung on its front surface by using clamps or tacks or other type of clips.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/276,602, filed Sep. 14, 2009 by Jose L. Medina and Arthur G. Randolph, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to target traps for use with reality-based methods of target training, as well as shooting skill development through the use of simulation or marking round firearms. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Generally, shooting skill development and law enforcement/counter terrorism tactics have advanced through the use of paintball, simulation and marking round weaponry. The use of targets in such activities is a critical component in such activities. Traditional targets are usually a paper product which pellets penetrate easily. The targets are supported by a trap, which captures the round to prevent damaging the surrounding area. Placement of targets is limited to places where a target can be supported, as well as what is behind the target which could be damaged as the pellet or marking round passes through. However, the cost of new pellets and marking rounds over time becomes a limiting factor in the volume of shooting and training that occurs. Additionally, the cleanup of training areas after a training exercise has been completed is consuming and tedious work. Conventional target traps are difficult to clean or are intended as a single use product, which although suitable for recreational use, do not lend themselves to high volume use. 
         [0006]    Thus, there is a need for an improved target trap. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A target trap suitable for use in reality-based training methods is provided. The target trap may advantageously capture pellets and marking rounds for improved clean-up and cost-saving re-use of ammunition. The target trap has a replaceable strike panel and face panel, and allows for paper or cardboard targets to be hung easily on its front surface by using clamps or tacks or other type of clips. The target trap is also light-weight and weather resistant, and may be easy rotated for use in both portrait and landscape orientations, which enable the trap to be utilized in a broad range of reality-based training exercises. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment is a target trap is provided that includes a frame assembly having removable face and strike panels. The frame assembly includes a bottom wall coupling a first sidewall to an opposing second sidewall. An opening is defined between the first and second sidewalls of the frame assembly. The strike panel removeably disposed within a back slot defined between the first and second sidewalls opposite the opening of the frame assembly. The face panel is disposed within the frame assembly between the opening and the strike panel, and is space apart from strike panel. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment is a target trap is provided that includes a frame assembly having removable face and strike panels. The frame assembly includes a bottom wall and back wall coupling a first sidewall to an opposing second sidewall. An opening is defined between the first and second sidewalls of the frame assembly. The strike panel disposed within a back slot defined between the first and second sidewalls opposite the opening of the frame assembly. The back slot loosely retains the strike panel in a manner that allows lateral movement of the strike panel in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the opening. The face panel is disposed within the frame assembly between the opening and the strike panel, and is space apart from strike panel. The back wall includes at least one mounting feature located on a vertical centerline of the back wall and at least one mounting feature centered on a horizontal centerline of the back wall to allow the trap to be supported in either a portrait or landscape orientation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a target trap having a strike panel and a face panel; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the target trap of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a partial, sectional view of another embodiment of a strike panel and a face panel; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a partial, sectional view of the target trap of  FIG. 1  having a pellet receiving pocket; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are perspective views of alternative embodiments of a bottom that may be utilized in the target trap of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a back elevation view of one embodiment of a back wall having suspension features; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are partial side views of the back wall illustrating alternative embodiments of a suspension feature; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8A  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a target support; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8B  is a sectional view of one embodiment of a target support interfaced with a frame assembly; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of a frame assembly illustrating an alternative embodiment of a target support; 
       
    
    
       [0021]    To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation. 
         [0022]    It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of a target trap  100  mounted on a stand  102  (shown in phantom) that supports a target  104  (also shown in phantom). Generally, the target trap  100  is suitable for capturing and retaining pellets fired at the target  104 . In the embodiment shown, the target trap  100  includes a frame assembly  106 , a strike panel  108 , a face panel  110 , and an optional target support  112  that is utilized with clips  114  to secure the target  104  to the frame assembly  106 . While the below description refers to “pellets”, it is understood that the target trap  100  is suitable for capturing and retaining many projectiles, including but not limited to, airsoft pellets, plastic pellets, lead pellets, BBs, marking rounds, paintballs, and the like. 
         [0024]    The frame assembly  106  houses the strike panel  108  and the face panel  110  and collects pellets entering the trap  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the frame assembly  106  has a front  136  and a back  138 , and includes a bottom wall  120 , and sidewalls  116 ,  118 . The front  136  includes an opening  134  defined between the sidewalls  116 ,  118  that allows for pellets fired at the target trap  100  to pass into the target trap  100 . The face panel  110  is retained between the sidewalls  116 ,  118  and generally serves as an initial energy absorbing surface for pellets fired at the target trap  100  and prevents pellets from ricocheting out of the trap  100 . The front panel  110  is positioned proximate to the opening  134  at the front  136  of the frame assembly. The strike panel  108  is retained between the sidewalls  116 ,  118  and absorbs the projectile energy of the fired pellets after the pellets have passed through the face panel  110 . The strike panel  108  is positioned proximate to the back  138  of the frame assembly  106 . The frame assembly  106  may optionally include a back wall  122  coupled to the sidewalls  116 ,  118  in the back  138  of the frame assembly  106  and an optional lid  124  disposed on top of the sidewalls  116 ,  118 . As shown, the optional lid  124  may be a box top having a peripheral down turned flange configured to fit over the upper edges of the sidewalls  116 ,  118 . In another embodiment, the lid  124  may be a flat panel hinged, or similarly pivotally coupled, to a sidewall  116  or  118  to selectively close the frame assembly  106 . 
         [0025]    The frame assembly  106  may be formed from a lightweight material durable enough to withstand environmental and projectile effects. For example, the trap  100  may be water resistant to allow outdoor use and cleaning. In one embodiment, the frame assembly  106  is fabricated from corrugated cardboard or corrugated plastic. In an alternative embodiment, the frame assembly  106  may be formed from aluminum, cardboard, wood or other suitable sheet material. The target support  112  may be comprised of a metal or plastic rod suitable for supporting the target. The components of the frame assembly  106 , for example, the sidewalls  116 ,  118 , and bottom wall  120 , may be assembled using welds, adhesives, screws, rivets, glue, or any other suitable fastening means. It is also contemplated that the sidewalls  116 ,  118 , and bottom wall  120  may be fabricated from a single strip of material. 
         [0026]    According to one embodiment, the strike panel  108  may be a consumable item that may be replaced within the frame assembly  106  when necessary. The strike panel  108  is fabricated from a material suitable for dissipating the energy of projectiles (e.g., pellets) while preventing the projectiles from penetrating the strike panel itself. In one embodiment, the material of the strike panel  108  should be suitable for absorbing 1-2 joules of energy from the projectiles without complete penetration of the strike panel  108 . Additionally, the material of the strike panel  108  may be selected to have compressible properties such that it decelerates projectiles in a manner that that substantially prevents deformation of the projectiles themselves. In one embodiment, the strike panel  108  may be made of corrugated plastic of a suitable thickness. As an example, 4 mm thick corrugated plastic may be used. In alternative embodiment, laminated foam may be utilized. In embodiments where the frame assembly  106  and strike panel  108  are both made of corrugated material, the strike panel  108  may be oriented within the frame assembly  106  such that the fluting of the corrugated material of the strike panel  108  is perpendicular to the fluting of the corrugated material of the sidewalls  116 ,  118  to increase the rigidity, durability and life of the strike panel  108 . 
         [0027]    The face panel  110  is a consumable item that is replaced within the frame assembly  106  as necessary. The face panel  110  may be made of a material suitable for initialing slowing the velocity of projectiles entering the target trap  100  and preventing projectiles from ricocheting out of the trap  100  back through the face panel  110  after impacting the strike panel  108 . The material utilized for the face panel  110  may be selected to have properties that permit the projectile to pierce the face panel  110  without deforming the projectile itself. In one embodiment, the face panel  110  may be fabricated from corrugated cardboard or other suitable material. 
         [0028]    The target trap  100  includes at least one alignment feature that maintains the strike panel  108  and the face panel  110  in a spaced-apart relation. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the sidewalls  116 ,  118  the alignment feature is a back channel  126  that defines a back slot  128  for retaining the strike panel  108 . The sidewalls  116 ,  118  may optionally include a front channel  130  which defines a front slot  132  which functions as an alignment feature for retaining the face panel  110 . The channels  126 ,  130  may be configured as an integral part of the sidewalls  116 ,  118 , or may be a separate C-channel, L-channel, or any other member coupled to the sidewalls  116 ,  188  that can define a slot for retaining and aligning one of the panels  108 ,  110  in an orientation substantially parallel with the plane of the opening  134  and perpendicular to the sidewalls  116 ,  118 . In an alternative embodiment, the frame assembly  106  may not include a channel. Instead, the feature that maintains the panels in a spaced-apart relation may be integral to the strike panel  108  or the face panel  110  itself, as further discussed below in relation to  FIG. 3 . The slots  128 ,  130 , being open to the top of the trap  100 , allow for quick and easy replacement of the panels  108 ,  110  with little interruption of training sessions. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the front of the sidewalls  116 ,  118  includes front lips  140  and back lips  142 . In one embodiment, the channels  126 ,  130  may be positioned proximate to, or abutting, the front lips  140  and the back lips  142 . Mounting holes  144 ,  146  may be formed through the front lips  140  for supporting the target support  112  (as discussed in detail further below). 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  depicts a top view of the frame assembly  106  illustrating the strike panel  108  and the face panel  110  held apart in a space-apart relationship to define an interstitial space  202  between the panels  108 ,  110 . In one embodiment, the strike panel  108  and the face panel  110  may be slidably inserted and/or removed through the top of the frame assembly  106 . As shown, the strike panel  108  is held substantially vertical in the back slot  128  defined by the back channel  126 . The face panel  110  is held substantially vertically in the front slot  132  defined by the front channel  130  and spaced-apart from the strike panel  108 . The interstitial space  202  defined between the strike panel  108  and the face panel  110  may be configured with a suitable distance between the panels  108 ,  110  to allow for sufficient reduction in velocity to prevent a projectile from bouncing off the strike panel  108  and passing back through the face panel  110 . In operation, a pellet  204  fired at the target trap  100  passes through the opening  134 , pierces the face panel  110 , as shown in phantom in  206 , and hits the strike panel  108 . The pellet  204  may ricochet off the face panel  110  after hitting the strike panel  108 , as shown by arrow  208 , before falling into the interstitial space  202 , thereby being captured inside the target trap  100 . 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the target trap  100  may be configured to absorb the kinetic energy of the pellets  204  without deforming the pellets  204 , thereby permitting re-use of the pellets. As discussed above, the materials of the strike and face panels  108 , 110  may be selected to prevent deformation of the pellets. In one embodiment, the spacing between the strike panel  108  and face panel  110  may be configured to provide adequate space for the deceleration of the pellets  204  within the trap  100 . In one specific example, the strike panel  108  and face panel  110  may be held apart at a distance of approximately 1 to 1.5 inches. In another embodiment, the back slot  128  (or other alignment feature retaining the strike panel) may be sized so as to loosely retain the strike panel  108  to more effectively absorb energy of pellets  204 . For example, the back slot  128  may be sufficiently wider than a thickness of the strike panel  108  so as to permit the strike panel  108  room to move laterally within the back slot  128  in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the opening  134  upon impact of the pellet  204 , thereby increasing the amount of energy absorbed from the pellet  204  upon impact with then strike panel  108  while reducing the opposing forces exerted on the pellet  204  by the strike panel  108  that threaten to deform the pellet. In one embodiment, the back slot  128  is about 0.062 inches wider then the thickness of the strike panel  110 . 
         [0032]    Generally, it is important that spacing is maintained between the strike panel  108  and the face panel  110 . This spacing may be accomplished through a variety of means. For example, alignment features, such as bumps or the channels  126 ,  130  disposed within or as part of the frame assembly  106  may maintain the strike panel  108  and face panel  110  in the spaced apart position. Alternatively, the strike panel  108  and face panel  110  may include a feature which spaces the panels apart. 
         [0033]    For example, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , a strike panel  302  is disposed in the back slot  128  defined by the channel  126  coupled to the sidewalls  116 ,  118  of the frame assembly  106 . The strike panel  302  has a length longer than the height of face panel  110  and a top portion of the strike panel  302  is bent over to form a tab  304  which extends towards and abuts the face panel  110 , thereby spacing the face panel  110  away from the strike panel  302  to create an interstitial space  202 . As such, the face panel  110  is retained by a front slot  132  defined by an end portion  306  of the tab  304  and a front lip  140  of the frame assembly  106 . Alternatively, it is understood that a face panel may be configured to be longer than the strike panel, having its top portion bent over and spacing apart the strike panel. It is also contemplated that the width of one of the strike panel or face panel may be greater than the width of the other, so that at least one side of the wider panel may be bent around to space apart the other panel. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  depicts one embodiment of the frame assembly  106  having a pellet-receiving pocket  402  for collecting pellets  204  within the target trap  100 . In the embodiment shown, the pellet-receiving pocket  402  is defined by the sidewalls  116 ,  118 , bottom wall  120 , the face panel  110 , and strike panel  108 . The bottom of the pellet-receiving pocket  402  is defined by the bottom wall  120  of the frame assembly  106 , and the front and back of the pellet-receiving pocket  402  are defined by the face panel  110  and strike panel  108 , respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the back of the pellet-receiving pocket may be defined by the back wall  122  of the frame assembly  106 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , the bottom wall  120  is a flat plate which allows easy removal of the pellets and cleaning of the trap  100  once the face and strike panels  108 ,  110  are removed. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5A  depicts an embodiment of the bottom wall of the frame assembly  106  that is configured as an open tray  502 . As shown, the open tray  502  has a bottom  504 , three sides  506 , and an open front  508  that define a pellet-receiving pocket  402 . The open front  508  provides access to the pellet-receiving pocket  402  for retrieval of pellets  204  retained within the target trap  100 . In one embodiment, a face panel  110  disposed within the frame assembly  106  proximate to the open front  508  may act as a temporary fourth side of the pellet-receiving pocket  402 . As such, when pellets  204  are retrieved from the target trap  100 , the face panel  110  may be removed to access the pellets  204  through the open front  508 . It is also understood that when the target trap  100  captures marking rounds, paintballs, and other substance-releasing pellets, the open front  508  facilities the cleaning and washing of the open tray  502 . 
         [0036]    In an alternative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5B , the bottom wall of the frame assembly  106  is in the form of a closed tray  512  having a bottom  504  and four sides  506  (i.e. no open front  508 ) that define a pellet-receiving pocket  402 . The closed tray  512  effectively stores pellets  204  and prevents paint from paintballs from leaking from the pellet-receiving pocket  402  while the trap  100  is in use. In one embodiment, the closed tray  512  may be removed from the frame assembly  106  to facilitate retrieval of pellets  204 . In another embodiment, the closed tray  512  may be permanently fastened to the frame assembly  106 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  depicts one embodiment of a back wall  1222  illustrating suspension features  602 . Suspension features  602  enable the target trap  100  to be positioned in a variety of locations and orientations. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6 , the trap  100  has a portrait orientation, with a top  602  being shorted than a side  606 , with the top  602  disposed in a vertical orientation and the side  606  in a vertical orientation. Of course, the trap  100  may be rotated for use in a landscape orientation. For example, suspension features  602  may be used to suspend the target trap  100  from various points along the stand  102 . As shown, the suspension features  602  may be located on a horizontal top  604  of the back wall  122  and centered along the width of the back wall  122  such that the target trap  100  may be suspended in a substantially vertical (i.e. portrait) orientation. Additional suspension features  602  may be located on the vertical side  606  of the back wall  122 , mid-distance along the vertical side  606  such that the target trap  100  may be rotated 90 degrees and suspended in a substantially horizontal (i.e. landscape) orientation. In embodiments of the target trap  100  not having a back wall  122 , suspension features  602  may be located on the frame assembly  106  itself (i.e. on one of the components of the frame assembly  106 ) or on a member attached to the frame assembly  106 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  depict various embodiments of a suspension feature  602 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7A , the suspension feature  602  includes a tab  610  having a hole  612  formed therein. The hole  612  may be used as a point of attachment for any suitable means of fastening or suspending the target trap  100 , including but not limited to, hooks, line, wire, rods, and clips. As illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the tab  610  may project outwards from the back wall  122  to allow for better access to the hole  612 . In alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 7B , suspension feature  702  may be in the form of a hook  704  attached to the back wall  122 . The hook  704  may be used to suspend the target trap  100  from various points of attachment in different locations. For example, the target trap  100  may be suspended by the hook  704  engaged with holes formed in a stand  102 . 
         [0039]    Returning to  FIG. 1 , targets  104  may be suspended from the target trap  100  in a variety of manners. For example, targets  104  may be tacked, taped, held using a temporary adhesive, or secured by any other suitable means. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , a target  104  may be suspended by clips  114  from a target support  112 , illustrated as a hanging bar. In one embodiment, the target support  112  may be permanently attached to the frame assembly  106 , for example, by weld or mechanical fastening. In another embodiment, the target support  112  is removably attached to the frame assembly  106 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the target support  112  interfaces with mounting holes  144  proximate to the top of the opposing sidewalls  116 ,  118  of the frame assembly  106 . A pair of mounting holes  146  may also be formed in at least one of the front lips  140 . In one embodiment, the spacing between mounting holes  146  is equal to the spacing between mounting holes  144  such that the target support  112  may be used with either sets of mounting holes depending on if the trap  100  is being used in a vertical or horizontal orientation. As such, the target support  112  may be removed from the mounting holes  144  and placed in the mounting holes  146  when the target trap  100  is utilized in a substantially horizontal (i.e., landscape) orientation. 
         [0040]      FIG. 8A  depicts one embodiment of the target support  112  having an attachment area  802  and mounting ends  804 . In one embodiment, the attachment area  802  may include a bar or wire rod. The mounting ends  804  are configured such that the target support  112  is securely supported when the mounting ends  804  are inserted into mounting holes  144  or  146 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 8B , the mounting ends  804  include an S-turn that engages with the mounting holes  144  and an end portion  806  that abuts the inner wall of the front lip  140  to support the target support  112 . The target  104  may be fastened to the attachment area  802  of the target support  112  using clips  114  (such as spring clips). 
         [0041]      FIG. 9  depicts a partial view of another embodiment of a target trap  900  have a feature for securing a target  104 . The trap  900  is substantially identical to the trap  100  describe above except that the sidewall  116  (or  118 ) may include a projecting lip  902  that allows attachment of a clip  114  to secure a target  104  when the target trap  900  is utilized in a substantially horizontal position. It is also contemplated that, in those embodiments having an additional channel  130  for retaining the front panel  110 , the front lip  140  may be configured to allow attachment of the clip  114  to secure the target  104 . 
         [0042]    Thus, a target trap has been disclosed which captures and retains pellets fired at a target. The target trap  100  is light weight and weather resistant. The target trap allows for more training activities to be conducted in more locations by reducing the risk of damage to fragile items within the area of use, such as windows and computer screens. The target trap also allows for recovery of pellets and marking rounds for later re-use, reducing the cost of purchasing new pellets and rounds, and facilities the cleaning training areas by storing captured pellets and retaining marking paint within the target trap, thereby improving the operational efficiency of law enforcement and skill shooting training. Moreover, as the trap may be easily cleaned, the trap is beneficial for use with paintballs. 
         [0043]    Although various embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiment that still incorporate these teachings.