Target positioning system

Target positioning system with a rectangular flat table top member having downwardly disposed side walls and three primary legs to support the table top member. Two primary legs are hingedly attached to the left and right rear corners of the table top member. One primary leg is hingedly attached under the center front portion of the table top member. Each leg has a telescoping secondary leg member that is capable of being affixed to the to the primary leg member to adjust the height of the primary leg member. The table top member left and right side walls include slots for receiving a strap. The strap can be adjusted in length to hold a standard archery target cube. The flat table top member includes upwardly facing flange located at the rear edge of the table top to prevent the target block from being thrust backward during target practice.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of archery accessories and more specifically to a target positioning system.

Archers often practice to increase their accuracy and skill by shooting at targets. One type of target is a cube type target that sits on the ground and is made of foam material covered by a vinyl sheet material. One such target is called the Broadhead Target made by American Whitetail Inc.
Some archers set the cube on a table top to more accurately approximate the height of a deer or other animal that they might be aiming at in an actual hunting activity.
However there is a deficiency in the prior technology in that the cube, when set on a table, may not represent the actual height of the animal, or simulate closely enough the actual conditions of using a bow and arrow in a hunting situation. For example, an elk is significantly taller than a deer so a practice target should be set higher for elk than deer. A second example is when one might want to practice shooting down at a target as if perched in a tree while the prey is located nearby on the ground. In this case it would be ideal for the cube to be angled so that the face of the cube is approximately perpendicular to the angle of the arrow. Additionally, of a cube type target is placed on a standard table, it may be moved or even knocked off of the table surface by the force of the arrow entering the cube. Finally, the table itself may be knocked over or turned by the force of the arrow hitting the cube.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide an archery target positioning system that allows an archer to adjust the target's height to correspond to a particular animals size and correct trajectory of shot.

Another object of the invention is to provide a target positioning system that allows an archer to adjust the target's angle for practicing angled shots to resemble a down-hill or tree-stand shot.

Another object of the invention is to provide a target positioning system that is collapsible for compact storage, carrying and shipping.

A further object of the invention is to provide a target positioning system whose target holding surface includes restraining members to help keep the target from shifting from side to side during the impact of the arrow.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a target positioning system that accommodates several sizes of block style targets by use of an adjustable strap.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed target positioning system comprising: a rectangular flat table top member having downwardly disposed side walls, three primary legs to support said table top member, two said primary legs hingedly attached to the left and right rear corners of said table top member, one said primary leg hingedly attached under the center front portion of said table top member, each said leg having a telescoping secondary leg member, and each said secondary leg member capable of being attached, by means of a spring loaded pin that passes through aligning apertures in both said leg members to said to said primary leg member to adjust the height of said leg member, said table top member left and right side walls including centrally disposed slots for receiving a flexible strap, said strap capable of being adjusted by standard clasp means to removably retain a standard archery target.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now toFIG. 1we see a perspective view of the invention100The invention100is an adjustable table device that includes a table surface14, three adjustable legs2,4,6and a strap18. The strap18is slid through slots20,21in the side walls of the table member14and can be adjusted by standard clasp means to removably retain a standard archery target16. Normally these types of targets are placed on the ground, or perhaps on a non-adjustable table top for practice shooting. However, when practicing to shoot an animal such as a deer, it is desirable to have the target16set at the height of a deer's body. An elk is a larger, taller animal and therefore, when practicing to shoot at an elk, the target16should be set higher. To this end primary legs2,4,6have secondary telescoping legs8,10,12that are slidable and can be adjusted by spring loaded pins22,24,25that slide through aligning apertures in the primary legs and the secondary legs. In this way, the user can adjust the legs so that the target16matches the height of the animal that the user intends to shoot at.

FIG. 2shows a perspective view of the invention100with the front leg2,8in an extended position. This type of angled target16allows the user to practice as if shooting down hill or, if the user can climb a tree, to practice shooting down from the tree to the target16.

Figure three shows a front perspective view of the invention100. This view shows that there are two tabs34,36that a target18can be placed against. In this way, the force of an arrow hitting the target16will not cause the target16to be moved backwards, as would be the case if there were no tabs34,36. This view also shows cutout portions26,30at the base of secondary legs10,12. Apertures28,30located at the base plate of each secondary leg10,12allow the user to stake the legs to the ground thereby further securing the invention100so that it will not move when an arrow strikes the target16. The table top is shown with slots38to lighten the overall weight of the unit100. In the preferred embodiment the invention100is constructed of eighteen gauge galvanized stainless steel. This view also shows side support rails40,46that help hold the primary legs2,14in place. pivot pin42can be seen as the rotational hinge point for leg2.

FIG. 4shows a front view of the invention. In this rendition lightening holes47are shown which would further lighten the overall weight of the invention100making is easier to carry for a long distance. Retaining tabs34,36can be clearly seen.

FIG. 5shows the invention100in a folded position making it very compact for carrying or shipping. The strap18can be inserted in slots20and used as a shoulder strap when transporting the invention100

FIG. 6is a rear perspective view of the invention. Side rails41,48can be clearly seen and help support legs2,6. pivot pins42,44can be seen as the rotational hinge point of legs2and6.

FIG. 7shows a side view of the invention100in the lowered position where the height50of the table top is approximately eighteen inches however the minimum height is approximately sixteen inches. In the lowered position the centerline of a standard block foam style target that is strapped to the table top will be approximately 26 to 28 inches which is relative to the vital shooting height of a deer.

FIG. 8shows a side view of the invention100in the raised position where the height52of the table top is approximately twenty-four inches. In the raised position the centerline of a standard block foam style target that is strapped to the table top will be approximately 32 to 34 inches which is relative to the vital shooting height of an elk.