Intelligent ballistic target

An intelligent target comprising a target body suspended from a support structure, at least one sensor affixed to the target body that detects a hit in an area of the target body, a controller, in communication with each sensor, that records the hits detected by the sensor and the area of the target body that was hit and issues a release command when a predetermined number of hits has been reached, and a release mechanism operatively connected with the controller and which releases the target body and allows the body to fall from the support structure on receipt of the release command from the controller.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an intelligent target for use in competitive sports shooting and also for training military and law enforcement personnel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Targets for use in competitive shooting sports and in training law enforcement and military personnel are generally static devices consisting of paper, cardboard or steel. Although these targets may have a generally human form, no feedback is provided to the trainee or competitor in terms of whether the projectile “strike” on the target is more or less valuable for the purposes of disabling or immobilizing the target. This is of particular importance in the training of military and law enforcement personnel. Police and military personnel are generally trained to aim for the “Center Of Mass” (COM), referring to the largest target area (the upper chest and torso area of the human body). However shots to the head are more likely to disable or immobilize an armed adversary. For this reason, static targets do not reflect the situations encountered in real life firefights. In these situations the value of a strike to the adversary's head is more likely to disable or immobilize the target than two or more shots that impact the COM. Present targets do not distinguish between a hit to the head or to the COM and do not offer immediate “real-time” performance feedback.

A problem in training law enforcement and military personnel at a shooting range is that the trainees will frequently fall into routines of firing one or two shots at the target and then discontinuing fire. This routine can be dangerous as it does not reflect real life encounters with armed adversaries. There are reported instances of law enforcement officers being shot because they were programmed to fire two shots and then discontinue firing, as opposed to continuing to fire until the target was immobilized.

Further, current targets generally have a COM target of about six inches in diameter and a head target represented by a three inch by two inch rectangle and a hit to each area is weighted the same for scoring. In real life encounters, a shot striking the head is more difficult, but is more likely to disable the target.

What is needed is a target that provides feedback to the trainee or competitor with respect to the number of hits to the target and the value (in terms of disabling or immobilizing the target) of each hit. The present invention overcomes these drawbacks of existing target structures and devices and provides an interactive target that provides real-time performance feedback to the shooter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an interactive ballistic target that provides real time shooting performance feedback to the shooter.

The interactive ballistic target of the present invention constitutes a target body having generally human form. The target is releasably suspended in the upright (standing or kneeling) position from an adjustable height support and has at least two sensors that detect shooting impact and send a signal (that includes information on the location of the impact on the target body, and also on the number of impacts (projectile strikes or hits)) to a processor or controller located in the interior of the target body. The controller records the number of “hits”, the location of each hit, weighs each “hit” for its disabling value (which may be accomplished by according a different weight to a hit on a particular area of the target, such as the head), and generates a random number of hits that must be exceeded for the controller to signal a target release device to drop the target (to simulate disabling an adversary).

Another embodiment of the invention includes apparatus for automatically resetting the target body into the erect (or kneeling) shooting position.

In another embodiment the target body is surrounded by a skin.

In a still further embodiment the target body comprises a skin made of a material that prevents or reduces ricochets.

In yet another embodiment, the target is made of modular components that can easily be replaced.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a realistic ballistic compliance target for use inter alia in competitive shooting sports and in training military and law enforcement personnel. The ballistic compliance target includes a target body with an electronic system for detecting “hits” to vital areas of the target, a target support frame from which the target body is suspended, and one or more control systems for processing “hit” information. The control systems may be on-board and within the target body, or within or otherwise attached to a target support frame.

Generally, embodiments of the ballistic compliance target are of one of two forms, a “manual” target and an “automatic” target.

In both “manual” and “automatic” embodiments, the target body is suspended on a target support frame by a release mechanism, which may be a latch mechanism, a peg mechanism, an elastic mechanism, a winch-type mechanism, that may include a manual winch, or a recovery mechanism driven by an electric motor, an pneumatic engine, a gasoline powered engine, a diesel powered engine, an equivalent driving device or a combination thereof. The target body includes electronic sensors in one or more regions such as the head, the Center of Mass (COM), the spine, and other regions simulating vital target areas that send a signal to one or more control systems when the respective areas of the target are struck by a projectile or other energy discharged from a firearm, rifle, or other such device. The control system counts the number of projectile or energy strikes on the vital target areas, accords differential weight to each of the sites of the impact and generates a random “hit” number that must be exceeded in order to release the target from its upright supported position and allow it to fall, simulating the disablement of an adversary.

The ballistic compliance target of the present invention counts the number of projectile or other energy strikes to the target body (“hits”). When the target body is struck by a projectile, such as a bullet, a less powerful target round, a pellet, buckshot, an arrow, a spear, a knife, or a ball, or another energy source, such as a light beam or a laser beam, a sensor located on the target body in the vicinity of the hit sends a signal to a control system. The control system has a random number generator that actuates a release mechanism when the signals for a predetermined number (generated by the random number generator) of hits have been counted. Actuation of the release mechanism releases or lowers the target body from its support and the target body falls from the “upright” (suspended) position to a “dropped” position.

In the “manual” embodiment, the target body may reset from the “dropped” position back to the “upright” position by a user physically resetting the target body on the release mechanism such that it is resuspended on the target support frame. This can be done using a manually operated winch to lift the target body back onto the support frame. The user may also reset the control system such that the counter is cleared and a new random number is generated.

In the “automatic” embodiments, the target body may be lifted from the “dropped” position back to the “upright” position after a pre-determined amount of time through an automatic lifting mechanism, such that the target body may be cycled and repeatedly used as an active shooting target. After each cycle, the control system may automatically reset, such that a new counter and new random number is generated.

In some embodiments, input from each sensor can be differentially weighted so that the signal from one sensor has a higher value than the signal from another sensor. This arrangement permits signals from a particular sensor deployed in the target body, such as one located in the head, spine, or other particularly critical area, to be given a higher value than signals from a sensor located in the COM, to more accurately simulate specific vulnerabilities of an adversary. In some embodiments, signals from sensors deployed in the target body in less critical areas, such as the arms and legs, may be given a higher value than other signals to encourage alternative target disablement techniques.

Referring to the drawings in detail,FIG. 1is a schematic illustration of an exemplary system for electronic control and operation of the ballistic compliance target of the present invention.FIGS. 2,3, and4illustrate a perspective view, a front view, and a side view of an exemplary ballistic compliance target, respectively. Sensors1and2are respectively mounted in the interior of the container3for the COM of the target body and inside the head container4. The sensors detect the impact of a projectile (or other energy source) on the target body5in the vicinity of the sensor. Sensors1and2may operate by mechanical pressure, sound detection, vibration detection, acceleration detection, or via detection of optical signals. Vibration detecting sensors are one preferred embodiment of the invention. Such sensor devices are widely available through commercial sources and are well known to those skilled in the art. Light or laser sensors are mounted outside target body5. In those embodiments in which light beams are used to simulate projectiles, the sensors1and2are optical sensors and are mounted on the skin6of target body5respectively in the vicinity of the head container4and the COM container3. In some embodiments, sensors1and2may be piezo-electric sensors that measure the frequency and amplitude of localized vibrations. In these embodiments, sensors1and2may detect one or more harmonic vibration signatures specific to particular portions of target body5as they are hit by projectiles. By analyzing the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations, the impact location and the strength of a projectile strike can be determined. In these embodiments, sensors1and2may be located in the COM container3, in the head container4, or in any other centrally located portion of target body5such that they may detect vibrations originating from any region of target body5.

The location and number of sensors may be varied to detect the impact of a projectile or other energy source on other regions of target body5, such as in areas representing the spine, the hands, the arms, or the legs. Power to target control system7is provided by operably connected power source8.

Target body5is suspended from target support frame15by a cable14connected through release mechanism9. In some embodiments, cable14may be an elastic material, a fiber, a wire, or a rope and may lift the target body onto a pin, a peg, or a combination thereof. Release mechanism9may be a latch mechanism, a peg mechanism, an elastic mechanism, or a winch-type mechanism, and may be driven by an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, a gasoline powered engine, a diesel powered engine, or an equivalent power source or a combination thereof. Power source8may be a battery, an electric generator, or a connector to an external power system, such as a power grid.

FIG. 5depicts in stepwise fashion the sequence of operations of a “manual” embodiment of the ballistic compliance target of the present invention. Sensors1and2, located on or within target body5, communicate the impact information resulting from a projectile or energy striking the target body5to target control system7, which may be a microprocessor or an analog control device, and which counts and records the number of impacts detected by sensors1and2. The sensors1and2can be hard wired to target control system7or can communicate wirelessly via transceiver11. Transceiver11may be or a hard wired or wireless design, or may communicate through a network such as a LAN, WiFi network, Bluetooth network, infrared network, cellular telephone network, or another such network. The target control system7communicates with a random number generator circuit12and a release mechanism9through a resetting device13which operates to reset the system for a new round of target shooting. The random number generator12randomly selects a number (usually between 1 and 10) and transmits this number to the target control system7. The transmitted number received by the target control system7from the random number generator12is used to set the number of hits on the target that must be received by the target control system7before it will transmit a release signal to the release mechanism9. Receipt by the release mechanism9of the release signal from the target control system7causes the release mechanism9to activate a solenoid or semiconductor switch64(within release mechanism9illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7) which in turn activates the latch system65to release the target body5from its suspended (upright) position. The input from each sensor1and2can be differentially weighted by target control system7so that a signal from one sensor is given greater weight than a signal from the other sensor. In this fashion a hit to a sensor2, for example deployed in the head container4(or on the skin6) of the target body5, is given a higher value than the signal from a sensor1, for example located in the COM container3or on the skin6of the target body3in the vicinity of the COM container3.

An exemplary release system9is illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7.FIGS. 6 and 7depict a latch-style release mechanism9for releasing the target from the upright position, i.e., target body5is supported and held in the upright (standing) position by cable14(secured around pin16by loop17) until the number of hits set by the random number generator12has been sensed by the target control system7. Rod18is positioned in slot19to hold pin16in the fixed position against the action of spring20. Spring20is in the relaxed position when rod18is inside slot19. The rod18passes through an aperture in bracket21. The aperture has a larger diameter than rod18, but a smaller diameter than spring20. A shoulder22is fastened at the upper end of spring20and abuts the bottom66of housing29when spring20is extended.

Activation of the switch23by target control system7withdraws rod18in a downward direction from within slot19in the body of tapered pin16and through the aperture in bracket21, in the direction of arrow24and thereby releases the compression of spring25and compresses spring20against bracket21. Tapered pin16is also held in position by rod18against the action of a spring25which is normally compressed (as shown inFIG. 6A). Withdrawal of rod18causes pin16to be forced backward by the action of spring25, out of aperture26in the direction of arrow27and toward the backside28of housing29. Support cable14, attached to the target body5, by loop17and normally held by pin16, is then released as loop17is slipped off pin16by the rearward movement of pin16(as shown inFIG. 6B). This action causes the target body5which is connected to cable14to fall from the upright position, simulating the disablement or immobilization of an armed assailant or adversary.

After rod18is withdrawn from slot19by activation of solenoid64, which causes latch65to be drawn downward, tapered pin16is reset by moving rod18into slot19. Rod18moves upward into slot19when pin16is moved forward to position slot19above rod18. Rod18is driven into slot19by the action of compressed spring20. This arrangement enables the target shooter or an assistant to reset the loop17in support cable14on pin16(and move pin16forward so that rod18engages in slot19). In this fashion, target body5is drawn up by cable14and held in the supported upright position for another target shooting round. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1, the reset device13can be activated manually or automatically. In normal use, the target body5is suspended from a flexible cable, wire or cord7which is in turn suspended or hung on a target support frame15. The target body5remains in the upright (suspended) position until a release signal has been communicated from the target control system7to the release switch23.

Referring toFIGS. 8A and 8B, in “automatic” embodiments of the ballistic compliance target, the target body5may be alternatively or additionally supported by a base station31(shown in more detail inFIG. 9) which will allow the target to be automatically cycled between upright (FIG. 8A) and dropped (FIG. 8B) positions. Referring toFIG. 9, the base station31may include base station control system32, base station transceiver33, relay46connected to a lifting mechanism34configured to extend or retract cable14supporting target body5, status light emitting diodes36,37,38,39,40,41, on/off switch35, automatic switch43, limit switch44, safety key slot47, safety switch48, “up” button49, and “down” button50.

The base station transceiver33may be a hardwired or wireless design, and may communicate through a network such as a LAN, WiFi network, Bluetooth network, infrared network, cellular telephone network, or another such network. Base station transceiver33may communicate with transceiver11to provide data transfer capability between the base station control system32and the target control system7.

Lifting mechanism34may be an elastic mechanism, a winch-type mechanism, driven by an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, a gasoline powered engine, a diesel powered engine, an equivalent power source, or a combination thereof. Lifting mechanism34may contain one or more spool-like elements in which portions of cable14may be wound or released, such that the position of suspended target body5may be varied in height.

In some embodiments, base station31may be operated in an “automatic” mode such that the target body5is reset into an upright position after entering a dropped position for a predetermined amount of time, a “manual” mode such that target body5remains in a single position, an emergency stop mode, or a low power “sleep” mode. Physical on/off switch35may be used to completely remove power from base station31. A series of differently colored light emitting diodes may be used to indicate the system's operating mode and power state. For example, if the system is powered, the system “on” LED36is illuminated. The operating mode of base station31may be indicated by green LED37(indicating automatic mode), yellow LED38(indicating manual mode), or red LED39(indicating emergency stop mode). When communication between the base station control system32and the target control system7is established via transceivers33and11, the clear LED40is illuminated. Any communication between transceiver33and11causes LED40to blink.

In some embodiments, when initially powered on via the on/off switch35base station31enters manual mode. In manual mode, strike sensors1and2record projectile or energy strikes by sending a signal to target control system7. Target control system7records the strike and activates strike indicator LED41or another visual indicator. The system may also send an output to speaker42in the form of a recorded sound, tone, or pulse. Information identifying each projectile or energy strike will also be broadcast via transceiver11to base station31, specifically to base station control system32through base station transceiver33, and to any other compatible communication devices within range. Base station31may additionally be connected, either by hard wiring or via a wireless system, to a network, such a WiFi network, LAN, infrared network, or Bluetooth network, via base station transceiver33or another communications module to allow for listening and processing of hit information by multiple devices connected to the network.

Automatic mode can be selected by activating automatic switch43. Referring toFIG. 10, in automatic mode the system first checks that limit switch44is activated, and the system subsequently operates in a loop. At the beginning of the loop base station control system processor32generates a random number and sets the strike count to 0. The system then begins counting projectile or energy strikes detected by strike sensors1and2. Strike sensors1and2respond to a projectile or energy strike by sending a signal to target control system7. Target control system7records the strike and illuminates strike indicator LED41or another visual indicator. The system may also send an output to the speaker output42in the form of a recorded sound, tone, or pulse. Information identifying each projectile or energy strike may also be broadcast on transceiver11to the base station31and to any other compatible communication devices within range. Base station31may additionally be connected, either by hard wiring or via a wireless system, to a network, such a WiFi network, LAN, infrared network, or Bluetooth network, via base station transceiver33or another communications module to allow for listening and processing of hit information by multiple devices connected to the network. When base station control system32receives information identifying a strike, the hit indicator LED45flashes and the strike count is increased by a number based upon the location of the originating strike sensor1or2. If the strike count is greater than or equal to the random number generated at the beginning of the cycle, the base station control system32activates relay46which in turn activates either lift mechanism34or release mechanism9to drop the target body5, for example by releasing or unwinding cable14from a spool or winch, such that target body5descends from its suspended position. After a predefined wait time, base station control system32activates relay46and the target body20is lifted back to the “upright” position by lift mechanism34, for example by securing and winding cable14into a spool or winch, and the program loop starts over.

The position of target body5and the operation mode of the base station can be further changed by activation of up button49or down button50. If up button49is pressed, the base station control system32checks if limit switch44is active. If limit switch44is active, base station control system32changes the system mode to manual mode. If limit switch44is not active, the base station control system32activates relay46which turns on lift mechanism34and raises target body5until it reaches the upright position, and activates limit switch44. As soon as limit switch44is activated, base station control system32turns off the relay46, stopping lift mechanism34.

If down button50is pressed, the base station control system32changes the system mode to manual mode. The base station control system32activates the relay46, which turns on the lift mechanism34or release mechanism9, and lowers the target body5. This switch is momentary and the relay46will remain active as long as the switch is pressed.

If the auto switch43is pressed, the base station control system32checks if the limit switch44is on. If limit switch44is active, the base station control system32changes the system mode to automatic mode. If the limit switch44is not active then the base station control system32will change the system mode to emergency stop mode.

Whenever the mode is changed, information indicating the mode change is transmitted from the base station control system32to the target control system7through transceivers11and33. As a failsafe, the base station control system32verifies the operation mode of the target control system7at the beginning of each software loop, and synchronizes the operation mode if necessary.

The base station31may enter a low power sleep mode when no command is entered and no hit is detected for a predetermined amount of time. Any command sent to the base station control system32will awaken the system from sleep mode. When the base station31is awakened from sleep, it resumes its last mode of operation unless the on/off switch35was previously turned off. If the on/off switch35was previously turned off and the base station31is awakened from sleep, the base station31defaults to manual mode.

In some embodiments, the base station31or target control system7may check for specific safety criteria prior to operation. The system may check for the presence of a physical or electronic authorization key in safety key slot47, the activation of a safety switch48, or presence of another indicator to determine that the system may safely operate. If these criteria are not met, emergency stop LED39may be lit, and the system may ignore user commands until the safety criteria are satisfied.

The target control system7, transceiver11, and random number generator12may be housed in separate containers but are preferably positioned inside COM container3as shown inFIG. 11. The housing51for target control system7is suspended by shock absorbing supports52such as, for example, elastic cords, springs, or pneumatic devices within COM container3which is in turn mounted within the target body5.

The outer skin6of target body5is formed of a semi-rigid material that can be shaped or molded into a generally human form in order to simulate the shape of an armed assailant. Preferably the material used for skin6is selected to be capable of preventing ricochet or bullet fragment ricochet of projectiles that strike the COM container3or the head container4. Suitable materials for skin6include by way of non-limiting example, heavy duty rubber, paper laminates, paper, rubber or fabric laminates with metal wire or mesh, or Kevlar fabric. In an especially preferred embodiment the skin6is between about 0.25 to about 0.375 inches thick and made of rubber laminated with a woven textile material such as Kevlar. To assist in preventing ricochets, the skin is intentionally spaced apart from the metal components (e.g., COM bod3and head container4). In this embodiment the skin6is self-sealing and closes behind any projectile strike that penetrates the skin.

Target body5includes container4which is intended to simulate the head of the target body5, and a COM container3that represents the COM of the target. Container3and head container4are joined by a connector portion53which may include a sensor used to simulate a spinal hit. In some embodiments, the target body components3,4and53are made of steel plates. In one preferred embodiment components3,4and53are made of steel covered by interlocking plates of AR500 steel plate. COM Container3is covered by individual steel plates (as illustrated inFIGS. 11-13) that include a front panel54and side panels55that are bolted to the underlying steel body56by bolts57, and may include a rear panel (not shown) which is identical to the front panel.

The sides of the containers3and4are formed from identical steel plates55as illustrated inFIG. 13. Plate54is fitted with longitudinal slots59that engage with slot60on the respective side plates55. In some embodiments, the rear panel (not shown) of COM container3can be eliminated in order to reduce weight, construction expense, and transceiver signal attenuation. After the slots59and60are fitted to one another, the plates54and55form the front and sides of COM container3, and can be joined by any appropriate means including for example welding the plates together along the slots59and60. If the COM container3is constructed with a rear panel, this panel can also be fastened to the side panels by welding or other suitable means. The head container4is constructed in the same fashion with smaller steel panels. COM container3and head container4may also be made of another material, such as a woven fiber, iron, or any other projectile-resistant materials.

In one preferred embodiment, one of sensors1and2is usually positioned on the interior of COM container3and the other on the interior of head container4. In some embodiments, sensors1and2not only have the ability to detect hits (projectile strikes in the vicinity of the sensor), but can also measure the force of the impact of the projectile against the wall of containers3or4and transmit this information to target control system7or if so configured, base station control system32. This information is processed in target control system7or the base station control system32, which assigns a weight (score) to each impact by a projectile. A projectile strike in the “head” (container4) may be assigned a higher weight than a strike on the connector portion53or the COM container3(which represents the COM of the target). A strike to the COM container3will be accorded a greater weight than a strike in the connector portion53. The target control system7or the base station control system32integrates information from sensors1and2on the number of strikes and the weight accorded to each strike, and uses this information to determine whether the number set generated by the random number generator12has been reached. For example, using the differential weighting arrangement, a heavily weighted strike on head container4representing the head of the target may be equal to or greater than the combined weight accorded to several strikes in the COM container3.

Referring toFIGS. 2-4it can be seen that the target body5is suspended from an adjustable height target support frame15by cable14which runs through the skin6at the top of the target body5and down into the head container4. Cable14is attached via loop17to tapered pin16. The target body5includes an outer top portion61that simulates the head of an armed assailant. In a preferred embodiment, the outer skin6of target body5is formed with a slit62on either side of the interior of skin6.

As illustrated inFIG. 11, the target control system7is preferably positioned within the COM container3to provide it with the greatest protection from damage due to projectile strikes and shock.

The portions of the skin6separated by slit62are joined by a detachable fastening device63which can consist of Velcro fasteners, rubber extension collars fastened with mechanical snaps, zippers, buttons, adhesives, or a conventional belt/buckle arrangement. Use of these fasteners facilitates removal and replacement of the skin6after it has become worn out from internal ricochets and projectile strikes during use of the ballistic target of the present invention. Ricochet control can be especially important in shooting houses where teams of shooters are entering the room in a spread out configuration and team members are firing at the same target simultaneously. To reduce ricochets, the steel structure including the head container4, connector53and COM container3, as well as the target support frame15can also be configured (shaped) to assist in reducing ricochet of projectiles that strike the target.

The target body of the present invention is more realistic than conventional targets as it has a three dimensional generally human form that can move and twist in response to projectile strikes on the target. The target of the invention emphasizes accuracy as it scores only hits in the head container4(that simulates the head of the target) and the COM container3based on the placement of sensors1and2. In different embodiments, the sensors can be placed in different locations on the target body. This can be of value if the shooter is being trained to aim for the targets arm or leg. In other embodiments, the target may be of a non-human form, such as of the form of an animal, vehicle, structure, or other form for use in other training exercises.

Another advantage of the target of the present invention is that the ability to differentially score each target site and in some embodiments the intensity of the hit. Generation of a random number of hits to trigger release of the target prevents patterning of shooting (i.e. training to always fire only 2 or 3 shots in each practice round). As a result, the number of shots it will take to cause the target to fall from the suspension is unpredictable and more realistically emulates real life situations. Because the target is in modular form, each component can readily be replaced without having to purchase a complete new target system. Also, since the target is life size and has an external skin that obscures the actual target, the shooting trainee is compelled to look at the anatomy of the target rather than a pattern of rings on a 2 dimensional target presentation.

The intelligent target of the present invention is of particular value in providing life-like target shooting practice for use in competitive sports shooting, e.g. with pistols, or in training military and law enforcement personnel who frequently are involved in live fire encounters with armed adversaries.