Target clamping system

An improved target clamp more securely holds a target in place when impacted by bullets or moved quickly by a target actuator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to target clamps. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved target clamp which more securely holds a shooting target to a target actuator and keeps the target securely clamped in place when the target is moved by the actuator.

2. State of the Art

It is common for law enforcement officers and others to engage in target practice to maintain their shooting accuracy. Law enforcement officers often use various methods of target practice to maintain and improve shooting accuracy. Frequently, an actuation mechanism is used to move targets in a manner which tests the law officers' accuracy and response time in shooting at moving or turning targets. This method of target practice provides improved training for real life scenarios, such as criminals suddenly appearing from behind a door, wall etc. and helps the officers develop quick reflexes and the ability to quickly determine whether a person poses a threat.

Targets are commonly formed from a sheet of paper, cardboard, or similar disposable material. The targets can be secured directly to a target actuator, or more commonly may be secured to one or more wooden posts, such as a 1×2 post, or other similar material which is clamped or secured to a target actuator. The target or the mounting post is often clamped to the target actuator.

Available target mounting systems frequently allow the target to become loose and slip or detach from the target clamping system. The repeated force of bullets impacting the target and the forces caused by sudden turning of the targets often cause the targets to slip or move out of the desired mounting position.

There is thus a need for a target clamp which overcomes the limitations of available target clamps by more securely holding the target or target mounting post during use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved target clamp.

According to one aspect of the invention, a target clamp is provided which more securely clamps a target to a desired mount. The target clamp may be used to clamp a target to a target actuator and more securely hold the target in place when moved by the actuator.

These and other aspects of the present invention are realized in a target clamp as shown and described in the following figures and related description.

It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The various embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. It is appreciated that not all aspects of the invention may be clearly shown in a single figure. Thus, multiple figures may be used to illustrate the various aspects of a single embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed in reference to the numerals provided therein so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. The drawings and descriptions are exemplary of various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims.

Turning now toFIG. 1, a top view of a target clamp known in the prior art is shown. The target clamp10utilizes a bolt14to tighten a metal plate18, which may be flat or formed in an L shape as shown, against a mounting arm22of the target stand or actuator. A target, or target mounting post26is held between the plate18and mounting arm22by tightening the bolt14. Targets are frequently mounted to a mounting post26as the target is relatively thin and flexible.

A problem with existing target clamps10is that the target mounting post26is not securely held in place. The mounting arm22of many target stands or actuators is commonly a strip of plate steel. A lack of positive engagement between the mounting arm22, target mounting post26, and metal plate18allow the target mounting post to slip or pivot within the target clamp10. This is especially true where the target is mounted to an actuator, as the rapid movement of the target actuator to move or turn the target into a desired position places elevated forces on the point of attachment of the target to the actuator.

Turning now toFIG. 2A, a top view of a target clamp30of the present invention is shown. The clamp30is used to hold a target or target mounting post34to the mounting arm38of a target stand or target actuator. A fastener42, such as a bolt, and a clamping arm46is used to clamp the target mounting post34between the clamping arm46and the mounting arm38. The clamping arm46is formed with a textured inner surface46b,having a plurality of teeth50according to a present embodiment. The textured surface46beffectively grips the target mounting post34and prevents movement of the target mounting post relative to the clamping arm46. The teeth50may be larger when a wooden target mounting post34is used, or may be smaller when the mounting post is plastic or another material.

The clamping arm46also includes a pair of flanges54which extend beyond the mounting arm38and prevent rotation of the clamping arm46relative to the mounting arm38. The combination of a textured surface46bsuch as teeth50and the flanges54substantially prevent movement of the target mounting post34relative to the mounting arm38.

In use, the target clamp fFIG. 2Amay often be used in a pair. The mounting arm38may extend and have a first clamping arm46on one end and a second clamping arm46on the opposite end of the mounting arm. In such a configuration, the target clamp may hold two target mounting posts34spaced apart from each other, and a target may be attached to the two posts.FIG. 2Bshows such a configuration, having a first target clamp30aand a second target clamp30bin accordance with the above description mounted to a mounting arm38. It is appreciated that more than two clamps may be used together on a single mounting arm. Such may be desirable with larger targets, etc.

Turning now toFIG. 3, a side view of the target clamp ofFIG. 2Ais shown.FIG. 3better illustrates how the flanges54extend around the mounting arm38to prevent rotation of the clamping arm46relative to the mounting arm38.

Turning now toFIG. 4, a top view of another target clamp of the present invention is shown. The target clamp has a mounting arm62which may be part of a target stand or target actuator, or which may be mountable to the target stand or actuator. Or more stationary clamping arms66are attached to the mounting arm62. The stationary clamping arms66are typically formed with a plurality of teeth70which more affirmatively grip a target mounting post74. The target mounting post74is typically a wooden post as such are inexpensive and easily replaced. The target mounting post74is used to support a target, as targets are often of paper or cardboard.

The target mounting post74is clamped between the stationary clamping arms66and a movable clamping arm78. The movable clamping arm78is typically mounted to the mounting arm62or a bracket82, and is typically formed with a plurality of teeth86for more affirmatively gripping the target mounting post74.

A locking lever90is pivotably attached to the movable clamping arm78and to a lever94. The lever94is pivotably attached to the mounting arm62or to a bracket98attached to the mounting arm. The locking lever90and lever94are typically constructed such that, when in a closed position as shown, pivot point102is disposed slightly inwardly from pivot points106and110so as to lock the locking lever90in a closed position, clamping the target mounting post74between the stationary clamping arms66and the movable clamping arm78. A stop114is typically used to limit the movement of the locking lever90in a closed position. A handle118may be provided for convenience in operating the clamp.

Turning now toFIG. 5, a partial side view of the clamp ofFIG. 4taken along line AA is shown. The clamp typically includes two stationary clamping arms66. While a different number of clamping arms could be used, two stationary clamping arms and one movable clamping arm78provide simple construction and secure clamping of the target mounting post74.

It is appreciated that a flexible paper target or a similar target will typically be mounted to two target mounting posts74; one at either end of the target. Thus, a target mounting clamp according to the present invention may often comprise a mounting arm62with two target mounting clamps, typically at either end of the mounting arm, in a manner similar to that shown inFIG. 2B. The mounting arm is typically either part of a target actuator or stand or mountable to an actuator or stand. A target and target mounting posts74which are thus mounted in a target clamp are securely held in place even when subjected to repeated impact with bullets and to the rapid movement of a target actuator. Such a configuration will have two of the clamps ofFIGS. 4 and 5, typically on opposite ends of a mounting arm62. It is appreciated that more than two target clamps may be used on a single mounting arm as is desired.

There is thus disclosed an improved target clamp. It will be appreciated that numerous changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.