Collapsible target stand

A collapsible target stand includes a base support assembly having a plurality of legs rotatable between an expanded position wherein the legs are radially arranged and an unexpanded position wherein the legs are disposed adjacent with each other; an upright support frame detachably connected with the base support assembly, the upright support frame including a first support frame connected to a second support frame and a third support frame connected to the second support frame; a locking assembly configured to lock the first support frame in an unfolded position; a target plate being detachable and suspended on the third support frame; wherein the first support frame is rotatable between a folded position wherein the first support frame has one side being coincident with the second support frame and the unfolded position wherein the first support frame is disposed in alignment with the second support frame.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a target stand, and more particularly, a collapsible target stand having a base support assembly, an upright support frame, and a target plate, wherein each of the base support assembly, the upright support frame, and the target plate are detachable with each other. Although the present disclosure is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for the base support assembly to be expandable and for the upright support frame to be foldable, enable the storage and transportation.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Generally, target shooting or shooting competition is a common and popular sport involving shooting at targets generally made of papers having shapes such as a bullseye or game animal or predator thereon. Target shooting can involve shooting at either moving targets or stationary targets. Especially to the stationary targets, the targets are placed at a distance and shot a number of times, and then are moved and replaced with another target. Typically, the targets have to be supported and suspended above the ground, so a conventional target stand has been developed to satisfy as needed.

One non-limiting example of the problems associated with the conventional target stand is that the conventional target stand are not easily transported from place to place and are easily damaged during use and suffer from additional structural shortcoming which necessitate certain new and useful improvement.

To overcome this known problem, a portable target stand has been developed in the market. However, the portable target stand still needs to occupy a larger storage space while the target stand at the storage position. For instance, the support frame is not foldable or even if the support frame has a foldable configuration, it is still lack of mechanism to stably remain the support frame in an upright position.

In another non-limiting example, in order to overcome the impact of the bullets, currently-available portable target stands are designed to be sturdy and steady on the rough, uneven, or sloping ground or snow, and above low bushes or weeds. What is needed is a sturdy, foldable, and portable target stand which can be set up easily and safely without using supplemental tools. The current target stand with sturdy configuration still have to be installed with complicity steps and with supplemental tools in order to position the target thereon.

Considering the somewhat valuable nature of a target stand, the design should be plain and simple, and replacement parts should be easy to find, buy, and install. There may exist a desire to develop a collapsible target stand which is enabled to be set up or collapsed with simple steps.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In a general implementation, a collapsible target stand comprises a base support assembly having a plurality of legs rotatable between an expanded position wherein the legs are radially arranged and an unexpanded position wherein the legs are downwardly rotated to be disposed adjacent with each other; an upright support frame detachably connected with the base support assembly, the upright support frame comprising a first support frame having a first top end pivotally connected to a second bottom end of a second support frame and a third support frame pivotally connected to a second top end of the second support frame; a locking assembly configured to lock the first support frame in an unfolded position; a target plate being detachable about and suspended on the third support frame; wherein the first support frame is rotatable between a folded position wherein the first support frame has one side being coincident with the second support frame and the unfolded position wherein the first support frame is unfolded and disposed in alignment with the second support frame.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, at least one of the base support assembly further comprises a top plate having an elongated slot where a first bottom end of the first support frame is inserted therethrough.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the first bottom end of the first support frame comprises a broad portion configured to be biased against the top plate and a narrow portion integrally extended from the broad portion to be inserted into the elongated slot.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the locking assembly comprises a receiving slot formed on the second support frame and a U-shaped locking member linked with a lever affixed on the first support frame, wherein the U-shaped locking member is received inside the receiving slot for locking the first support frame in the unfolded position.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the base support assembly further comprises a bottom plate having a plurality of elongated side slots, wherein in the unexpanded position, a part of each of the legs is downwardly rotated and passed through the side slots to be parallelly aligned with each other.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the target stand further comprises a bottom retaining member pivotally connected with the first support frame and the second support frame via two separated pivots, wherein the first top end of the first support frame and the second bottom end of the second support frame are rotatable about the bottom retaining member.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the first support frame comprises a first bottom end opposite of the first top end and detachably connected with the base support assembly, and the second top end of the second support frame is opposite of the second bottom end of the second support frame.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the third support frame comprises a distal end pivotally connected with the second support frame and a proximal end having a protrusion being engaged with a U-shaped mounting member mounted on the target plate.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the base support assembly further comprises a top plate and a bottom plate, wherein an operation cavity is defined between the top plate and the bottom plate with pairs of side plates mounted within the operation cavity.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, each pair of the side plates define an operation slot aligned with an elongated side slot formed on the bottom plate, wherein a part of each of the legs is slidable within the operation slot and passed through the elongated side slot.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the lever is downwardly flipped to lock the U-shaped locking member in the receiving slot.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, a length of the first support frame is equal to a length of the second support frame.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the top plate consists of an elongated slot.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the locking assembly is arranged on a first right side of the first support frame and a second right side of the second support frame, wherein the first support frame is foldable towards a second left side of the second support frame, wherein the second left side of the second support frame is opposite of the second left side of the second support frame.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the pairs of side plates are vertically arranged and mounted on the top plate and the bottom plate.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the target stand further comprises a pair of bottom retaining members pivotally connected with the first support frame and the second support frame via two separated pivots, wherein a first top end of the first support frame and the second bottom end of the second support frame are rotatable within a bottom retaining slot defining between the pair of the bottom retaining members.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the target plate further comprises a pair of mounting members defining a mounting slot where a proximal end of the third support frame is rotatable and arranged therein.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the pair of the mounting members comprises a U-shaped mounting member having an elongated opening to slidably engage with a protrusion mounted on the third support frame.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, in the unfolded position, the first support frame is disposed with respect to the second support frame to form a straight angle.

In another aspect combinable with the general implementation, the third support frame comprises a proximal end having a width greater than a width of a distal end of the third support frame, wherein the proximal end is opposite of the distal end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The different aspects of the various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the embodiments, which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below.

FIGS.1A-1Bgenerally depicts views of a collapsible target stand10of an embodiment according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.1A, the collapsible target stand10comprises a base support assembly20detachably connected to an upright support frame30, and a target plate40being detachable and suspended on the upright support frame30, wherein the upright support frame30comprises a first support frame31having a first top end pivotally connected to one end (e.g., a second bottom end) of a second support frame32and a third support frame33pivotally connected to an opposite end (e.g., a second top end) of the second support frame32. In an embodiment, the first support frame31further comprises a first bottom end312detachably connected with the base support assembly20, wherein the first bottom end312of the first support frame31comprises a broad portion312A and a narrow portion312B integrally extended from the broad portion312A.

In an embodiment, the first support frame31comprises a first front side314and a first rear side opposite of the first front side314, wherein a thickness of the first support frame31is defined between the first front side314and a first rear side. Here, the second support frame32comprises a second front side324and a second rear side325(as shown inFIG.3C) opposite of the second front side324wherein a thickness of the second support frame32is defined between the second front side324and the second rear side325.

Referring toFIG.1B, the target stand10further comprises a locking assembly50arranged on a first top end of the first support frame31and a second bottom end of the second support frame32, wherein the locking assembly50is configured to lock the first support frame31and the second support frame32in positions.

In an embodiment, the first support frame31comprises a first left side317and a first right side316opposite of the first left side317, wherein a width of the first support frame31, including the broad portion321A and the narrow portion321B formed on the first bottom end312of the first support frame31, as shown the detail ofFIG.1A, may be defined between a first right side316and a first left side317.

In another embodiment, the second support frame32comprises a second left side327and a second right side326opposite of a second left side327of the second support frame32. Here, a width of the second support frame32may be defined between the second right side326and the second left side327.

FIG.2A-2Cgenerally depicts sectional views of the base support assembly according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.2A, the base support assembly20comprises a plurality of legs21rotatable between an expanded position and unexpanded position, wherein in the expanded position, the legs21may be radially arranged in a/an predetermined distance and angle. The legs21comprises a front leg211and a pair of rear legs212, wherein the pair of rear legs212may be symmetrically arranged about the front leg211. In an embodiment, in the expanded position, each one of the rear legs212may be formed as an angle “A” of about 90 degrees with respect to the other one of the pair of the rear legs212, wherein the front leg211may be formed an angle “B” of about 120 degrees with respect to the rear legs212.

Referring toFIGS.2B to2C, in an embodiment, the base support assembly20further comprises a top plate22having an elongated slot221and a bottom plate23having a plurality of elongated side slots231, wherein a part of each of the legs21may be downwardly rotated and passed through the side slots231to be parallelly aligned with each other.

In an embodiment, the base support assembly20further comprises an operation cavity24defined between the top plate22and the bottom plate23and pairs of side plates25mounted within the operation cavity24, wherein each of the pairs of side plates25may be vertically arranged and directly mounted on the top plate22and the bottom plate23. Here, each pair of the side plates25define an operation slot251which may be aligned with the elongated side slot231formed on the bottom plate23. During a rotation of the legs21, each one of a part of the legs21(e.g., only partial leg) may be slidable and rotatable within the operation slot251and be passed through the elongated side slot231for parallelly aligning with each other.

In another embodiment, the narrow portion312B of the first bottom end312of the first support frame31may be inserted into the elongated slot221of the top plate22to support the upright support frame30on the base support assembly20, wherein the broad portion312A of the first support frame31may be biased against the top plate22so as to lock the first bottom end312of the first support frame31on the base support assembly20, as shown with the details ofFIGS.1A-1B. In other words, the broad portion312A may have a width greater than a width of the narrow portion312B, wherein the width of the narrow portion312B is smaller than a length of the elongated slot221, wherein the width of the broad portion312A is greater than the length of the elongated slot221. The narrow portion312B may have the width smaller than the length of the elongated slot221in order to facilitate inserting the narrow portion into the elongated slot221.

In an embodiment, the elongated slot221may be formed at a center of the top plate22to enhance the upright support frame30being stably support on a ground surface100(as shown the details ofFIG.1B).

Referring toFIG.2B, in the unexpanded position, the legs21may be downwardly rotated at a predetermined angle to be disposed adjacent with each other, wherein the predetermined angle may be about 90 degrees. In an embodiment, the legs21may be parallel alignment with each other to form the unexpanded position.

It is noted that the top plate22of the base support assembly20consists of the elongated slot221. For example, during the rotation of the legs21, the legs21may be biased against the top plate22to prohibit the legs being upwardly rotated, as shown further detail inFIG.2A. The legs21only could be downwardly rotated 90 degrees, and one side of each of the legs21may be biased against an inner slot edge2311of each of the elongated side slots231to perform the unexpanded position.

In an embodiment, each of the legs21may be pivotably connected with one pair of the side plates25at a pivot, wherein each of the pivots formed by one of the legs21and the pair of the side plates25is at the same level of another one of the pivots.

FIGS.3A-3Ddepict views of the collapsible target stand10according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIGS.3A-3C, the target plate40further comprises a pair of mounting members41defining a mounting slot42therebetween, wherein the pair of the mounting members41comprises a U-shaped mounting member41A having an elongated opening411A configurated to be slidably engaged with a protrusion3311mounted on the third support frame33. In an embodiment, the third support frame33comprises a proximal end331having a thickness greater than a thickness of a distal end332of the third support frame33, wherein the proximal end331is opposite of the distal end332. The protrusion3311may be mounted on the proximal end331of the third support frame33and the distal end332of the third support frame33may be pivotally connected with the second top end323of the second support frame32.

In an embodiment, the proximal end331of the third support frame33may be slidable within the mounting slot42, wherein the protrusion3311of the proximal end331may be slid into the elongated opening411A and be biased against an inner opening edge4111A of the elongated opening411A. It is noted that, for example, when the target plate40is suspended or hanged on the third support frame33, the protrusion3311of the third support frame33may be biased against the inner opening edge4111A of the elongated opening411A by a gravity of the target plate40; therefore, the target plate40may be locked on the third support frame33.

In another embodiment, referring toFIGS.3A-3B and3D, the elongated opening411A may be parallel alignment with a target board43, wherein an opening end of the elongated opening411A may be faced downwardly. Here, the proximal end331of the third support frame33may be formed as an angle “C” about 45 degrees and may comprise an angled edge3312. For example, when target plate40is suspended and supported on the third support frame33, the angled edge3312of the proximal end331of the third support frame33may be biased against the target board43, and in this way, the target board43may be suspended or hanged on the third support frame33to form an angle “D” about 45 degrees with respect to the target board43.

In still another embodiment, referring toFIGS.3A-3C, the upright support frame30further comprises at least one top retaining member34where the distal end332of the third support frame33and the second top end323of the second support frame32may be pivotally arranged on the top retaining member34. Here, the top retaining members34may be formed in pair and define a top retaining slot341formed between the pair of the top retaining members34, wherein the distal end332of the third support frame33and the second top end323of the second support frame31may be rotatable operated within the top retaining slot341. It is noted that the top retaining member34may be configured to enhance the stability of the a connection between the third support frame33and the second support frame32, so as to prevent the third support frame33being ripped off or bumped off the second support frame32.

In still another embodiment, the third support frame33may be rotatably operated with the top retaining members34and within the top retaining slot341, wherein the pair of the top retaining members34may be affixed on the second top end323of the second support frame32.

Referring toFIG.3C, the second top end323of the second support frame32and the distal end332of the third support frame33may be pivotally connected with the top retaining members34via two separated pivots. Therefore, the second support frame32may be rotated with respect to the top retaining member34without rotating the third support frame33. In other words, the third support frame33may be rotated with respect to the top retaining members34without rotating the second support frame32. The flexibility of the third support frame33and the second support frame21may be enhanced by the above descriptions.

FIG.4depicts a perspective view of the upright support frame30according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.4, the first support frame31may be rotated between a folded position and unfolded position, wherein in the folded position, the first support frame31may be folded to have one side (e.g., the first left side317) being coincident with the second left side327of the second support frame32(as shown detail ofFIG.1B). In an embodiment, the first support frame31may be folded towards the second left side327of the second support frame32in order to perform the folded position.

In an embodiment, in the unfolded position, as shown details ofFIG.1A, the first support frame31is unfolded and disposed in alignment with the second support frame32to from a straight angle “E”.

In another embodiment, as shown inFIG.4, a length “L” of the first support frame31may be equal to a length “1” of the second support frame32.

In another embodiment, in order to support the target board43being in uses and suspended on the third support frame33, the base support assembly20must be at the expanded position and the first support frame31must be at the unfolded position, as shown inFIG.1B, wherein the base support assembly20may be utilized to support the upright support frame30on the ground surface100, and the upright support frame30may be utilized to support the target board43being hanging above the ground surface100.

In still another embodiment, in the folded position, continuing toFIG.4, the first support frame31may be overlapped with the second support frame32to form a flat surface, wherein the thickness of the first support frame31may be equal to the thickness of the second support frame32.

FIGS.5A-5Bdepict sectional views of the locking assembly according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.5A, the locking assembly50comprises a receiving slot51formed on the second support frame32and a U-shaped locking member52linked with a lever53affixed on the first support frame31, wherein in order to lock the first support frame31with the second support frame32to from the straight angle, the U-shaped locking member52may be received inside the receiving slot51for locking the first support frame31in the unfolded position, as shown details ofFIG.1B. In other words, in the folded position, the U-shaped locking member51may be released from the receiving slot51and may not be received inside the receiving slot51, as shown details ofFIG.4.

In an embodiment, referring toFIG.5B, the locking assembly50further comprises a base member54mounted on the first top end313of the first support frame31and the lever53may be mounted the base member54. Here, the base member54may be utilized to support the lever53connected with the first support frame31.

Referring toFIGS.5A to5B, the locking assembly50further comprises a bottom retaining member55pivotally connected with the first top end313of the first support frame31and the second bottom end322of the second support frame32, wherein the first top end313of the first support frame31and the second bottom end322of the second support frame32may be rotatable about the bottom retaining member55.

In an embodiment, the bottom retaining member55may be pivotally connected with the first support frame31and the second support frame32via two separated pivots551. Here, the bottom retaining member55may be formed in pair, and the pair of bottom retaining members55may be pivotally connected with the first support frame31and the second support frame32via two separated pivots551, wherein the first top end313of the first support frame31and the second bottom end322of the second support frame32may be rotatable between the pair of the bottom retaining members55.

In another embodiment, in the folded position, the bottom retaining members55may be vertically arranged with respect to the first support frame31and the second support frame32, as shown inFIG.4. The bottom retaining members55may be configured to enhance a stability of a connection between the first support frame31and the second support frame32.

Continuing toFIGS.5A to5B, the lever53of the lock assembly50may be downwardly flipped and moved away the receiving slot51, wherein the U-shaped locking member52linked with the lever53may be simultaneously moved to and locked within the receiving slot51. Here, the receiving slot51may be formed on a locking flange56outwardly and integrally extended from the second support frame32. For example, while the U-shaped locking member52is received in the receiving slot51and is pulled to move towards the downward direction, the U-shaped locking member52may be securely locked within the receiving slot51, and simultaneously, the first support frame31may be locked in the unfolded position with respect to the second support frame32.

In an embodiment, the lever53of the lock assembly50may be upwardly flipped and moved towards the receiving slot51, wherein the U-shaped locking member52linked with the lever53may be moved away and released from the receiving slot51. In this way, the first support frame31may be folded to be coincident with the second support frame32in order to perform the folded position.

According to all of the embodiments described above, referring to further details ofFIG.4, the lock assembly50may be arranged outside the bottom retaining members55, wherein the lock assembly55further comprises a bottom retaining slot552defined between the pair of the bottom retaining members55. Here, the lock assembly50, including the locking flange56having the receiving slot51, the U-shaped locking member52, and the base member54, may be disposed outside the bottom retaining members55, as shown inFIG.5A.

FIGS.6A-6B and7generally depicts perspective views of a frame adaptor for the collapsible target stand according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIGS.6A-6B and7, the target stand further comprises the frame adapter60to be selectively and detachably mounted on top retaining member34.

In an embodiment, the frame adaptor60comprises an elongated supporting arm61, a locking connector62mounted on a bottom side of the supporting arm61, and at least one supporting rod63detachably coupled on a top side of the supporting arm61, wherein the bottom side of the supporting arm61is opposite of the top side of the supporting arm61, and the top side of the supporting arm61comprises a plurality of locking holes64configured to engage with the supporting rods63for supporting the supporting rods63being vertically arranged with respect to the supporting arm61. In an embodiment, each of the supporting rods63may be parallel alignment with another one of the supporting rods63.

In an embodiment, the frame adaptor60further comprises a paper target board65supported on the plurality of the supporting rods61. For example, the paper target board65may be supported on the frame adapter60for shooting purposes.

As shown inFIG.3C, the third support frame33may be detached from the top retaining members34and released from the second top end323of the second support frame32. In an embodiment, for example, the locking connector62of the frame adaptor60may be inserted into the top retaining slot341formed between the pair of the top retaining members34and may be locked with the top retaining members34via an adapter pivot, as shown inFIG.7. Here, the top retaining members34may be affixed on the second top end323of the second support frame32, and the second top end323of the second support frame32may be sandwiched between the pair of the top retaining members34. It is noted that the third support frame33may be selectively and rotatably attached on the pair of the top retaining members34affixed with the second top end323of the second support frame32and the target board43may be suspended thereon. Selectively, while the third support frame33may be detached from the second support frame32, the locking connector62of frame adaptor60may be inserted into the top retaining slot341and affixed on the top retaining members34in order to install on the second support frame32and support the paper target board65above the ground surface100.

According to all of the embodiments described above, the target board43may be a metal target board, and the paper target board65may be a paper cardboard.

According to all of the embodiments describes above, the contemplated collapsible target stand10, including the base support assembly20, the upright support frame30, and the target plate40, can be made of suitable bulletproof materials to have abrasion resistant and withstand repeated shots, such materials include AR500 steel and all reasonable combinations thereof.

It should be understood that the above-described material is exemplary and any other material can be adopted in various embodiments of this disclosure.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiment includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed herein even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of a collapsible target stand have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the disclosed concepts herein. The disclosed embodiments, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalent within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments. In addition, where the specification and claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring at least one element from the group which includes N, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.