Firearm target with lock on pattern

A firearm target is specially adapted for the purpose of sighting in a scoped firearm. The scope has a reticle with horizontal and vertical lines forming crosshairs. The target has a cross pattern in contrasting colors with a cross shaped gap. The gap is highly visible and may even be in a reflective color. The gap size is selected to match the crosshair thickness and the targeting distance. Aligning the crosshairs to the gap significantly or completely hides the gap. Misaligning the crosshairs to the gap causes the gap to become more visible because of the gap's highly noticeable and contrasting colors. The target thereby provides a lock-on functionality for a marksman.

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments are generally related to firearm targets and methods for manufacturing firearm targets.

BACKGROUND

Targets for projectiles have existed since prehistoric times with occasional advances in the art providing targets that are more appropriate for specific uses. Among those advances are printed targets where a target pattern, such as the notoriously familiar bullseye pattern, is printed onto a substrate such as paper, card stock, or plastic. More recently, firearm targets have been developed with frangible or separable ink over a brightly colored substrate for causing the point of impact to be highly visible. The point of impact is highly visible because a separable ink or layer breaks away from the substrate in a ring or halo around the point of impact, thereby revealing a halo of brightly colored substrate material.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,371 titled “Reusable Projectile Impact Reflecting Target for Day or Night Use” issued to Edwards on Feb. 23, 1993 and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,371 discloses a firearm target having a paper bottom layer colored with a photo-reflective ink, the bottom layer underlying a polypropylene film that is printed with a contrasting ink that contrasts with the photo-reflective ink on the bottom layer. For example, the bottom layer can be bright, even reflective, white, yellow, or orange and the polypropylene can be black. A projectile penetrating the target causes the contrasting ink to separate in an area that is larger than the hole left by the projectile. The reflective ink is thereby exposed and highly visible at the area of projectile's impact. It is for its teaching of targets and targets that show highly visible indications of a projectile's impact point that U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,371 is herein included by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,063 titled “Reusable Projectile Impact Reflecting Target for Day or Night Use” issued to Edwards on Dec. 3, 1996 and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,063 discloses an improvement over Edwards' earlier target which is patented as U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,371. The improvements are in the replacement of certain parts of the target, the reuse of other parts of the target, and improvements directed to the visibility of projectile impact points. U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,063 also provides further disclosures relating to the target itself. It is for its further disclosures and improvements over those of U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,371 that U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,063 is herein included by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,467 titled “Highly Visible, Point of Impact, Firearm Target-Shatterable Face Sheet Embodiment” issued to Kandel on Mar. 26, 1996 and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,467 discloses a target that produces highly visible indications of projectile impact points that is similar to Edwards' targets. It is for it teachings of targets and highly visible impact points that U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,467 is herein included by reference in its entirety.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,631,877 titled “Firearm Targets and Methods for Manufacturing Firearm Targets” issued to Zara on Dec. 15, 2009 and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 7,631,877 also discloses a target that produces highly visible indications of projectile impact points but with refined layers, gaps in layers, and other improvements. It is for it teachings of refined layers, gaps in layers, and other improvements to targets having highly visible impact points that U.S. Pat. No. 7,631,877 is herein included by reference in its entirety.

The targets described so far provide highly visible indications of a projectiles point of impact. Yet earlier targets were typically light and dark patterns printed directly to a single substrate. None of the prior targets or technologies provide for improvements in aiming. System and methods providing for improvements in aiming at a firearm target are needed.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an aspect of the embodiments to provide a firearm target having a substrate. The substrate can be printed with a background in a background color, perhaps with a reflective ink, and then a foreground pattern printed in a foreground color over or aligned to the background. The substrate can be printed with a background pattern and a foreground pattern in a background color and a foreground color, respectively. An alternative is to print the foreground on a separable or frangible layer to thereby provide a target that produces highly visible indications of projectile impact points. Further alternatives can have multiple separable/frangible layers and multiple colors. Yet further alternatives have the background and foreground patterns printed on a separable layer and also in contrasting colors on the substrate.

It is another aspect of the embodiments that the foreground has four trapezoid pairs arranged in a cross pattern having a center point. Each trapezoid pair includes two right trapezoids with each right trapezoid having a long edge perpendicular to a base edge and parallel to a short edge. An angled edge opposite the base edge joins the long edge and the short edge. The intersection of the long edge and angled edge is a pinnacle. The right trapezoids in a trapezoid pair are arranged with their long edges being parallel and separated by a trapezoid separation. Certain embodiments have a trapezoid separation of 5/16 inch or within 1/16 inch of 5/16 inch. The distance can be selected to match the reticle of a rifle scope with some scopes being variable. Therefore, other embodiments can have other trapezoid separation such as ⅝ inch or within 1/16 inch of ⅝ inch. In general, a target has a reticle distance equaling the trapezoid separation when the trapezoid separation is greater than zero. Embodiments can have a trapezoid separation equaling zero in which case the trapezoid pair becomes an obelisk, which is a pointed five sided shape, and the reticle distance equaling the width of the obelisk. The trapezoid pairs and/or obelisks are arranged in a cross pattern with the trapezoid pinnacles (or obelisk points) pointing inward toward the center of the target.

It is yet another aspect of the embodiments that the foreground has four kite shaped wedges, each having a first angled side intersecting a second angled side at a vertex. Certain embodiments have vertices of 34 degrees or vertices within one or two degrees of 34 degrees. An axis bisects the vertex and the wedges are symmetrical along the axis. The wedges can be arranged in a wedge pattern with each vertex at or proximate to the center point of the cross pattern. The axes of two of the wedges can be perpendicular to the axes of the other two wedges. In many embodiments the axes of the wedges are rotated 45 degrees from the cross pattern.

To simplify description herein, some of the target's patterning is described as foreground whereas other patterning is described as background. It is understood that the calling some parts “foreground” and other parts “background” background is a handy but arbitrary labeling target elements. The nomenclature can be changed without changing the appearance of the target.

The foreground and background colors can be specified using color coordinates, as Pantone color numbers, or as colors on a Pantone card. For example, a target having a red foreground and a yellow background can be specified as having a “Pantone card 1.3c Yellow” or pantone 1.3c “process yellow” background and a “Pantone 1795c” foreground. Experimentation has shown that the coated basic process yellow is a good color for many targets. A different target having a yellow foreground and a blue background can be specified as having a “Pantone 311c” background and a “Pantone card 1.3c Process Yellow” foreground.

The “c” after the number (as in 311c or 1795c) or the card number (as in 1.3c) means coated for its brightness so it stands out. It's the contrast and brightness of colors that can make cross hairs in optics stand out for maximum visibility. This way a black cross hair never blends into a black background such as in that ofFIGS. 14-16.

Some embodiments can have a plurality of offset marks. For example, if the wedges are the foreground color, then each wedge can have a square (or diamond or kite or circular or round or elliptical or triangular or polygonal) shaped offset mark in the background color or some other contrasting color.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a target100having a 5/16 inch trapezoid separation103and a reticle distance equaling the trapezoid separation103in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. Four trapezoid pairs102having two right trapezoids101are arranged in a cross pattern marked as element201inFIG. 2. The target100also has four wedges106having a first angled side110, a second angled side111, and a vertex105that is the angled tip between the first angled side110and the second angled side111. An axis112bisects the vertex. The axis112is illustrated as a line bisecting a vertex105, but such a line is not visible in all embodiments. Each leg of the cross pattern201has a cross thickness104equaling the trapezoid separation103plus two of the base lengths of the right trapezoid. The base lengths are the lengths of elements302inFIG. 3below. Each of the wedges106has an offset mark107centered on the axis112.

Target100has a foreground109that can be blaze orange, fluorescent orange, or red such as the red specified as “Pantone 1795c.” Target100also has a background108that can be in a color that contrasts well with the foreground color. For example, “Pantone card 1.3c Yellow” contrasts well with “Pantone 1795c.” Another example would have a black foreground and white background while yet another example would have a white foreground and a black background.

Target100has grid lines113arranged in a grid. The illustrated grid lines113are black. The black gridlines113are visible against both the foreground color and the background color. If the gridlines113illustrated inFIG. 1are spaced by one inch, then target100is approximately 12 inches by 12 inches and the illustrated offset marks107would be approximately two inches in from each edge. The measurements become important because a reticle distance of 5/16 inch is well suited for sighting in a scoped rifle at 100 yards because the reticle of many scopes is sized to almost completely obscure the space between the right trapezoids of each trapezoid pair. A marksman aiming at the target is therefore able to “lock on” the target by almost or completely blanking out that space, based on marksman preferences. Slight offsets from the ideal lock on position are highly visible because strips of bright contrasting color appear in the marksman's sight image. This enables a shooter the ability to lock on and keep crosshairs on the center point of the target without wavering. Increased accuracy and ability can improve with repetitive use of the targets, thereby increasing skill levels.

The target having the 5/16 inch trapezoid separation and a reticle distance equaling the trapezoid separation can also work well for 50 yard distances for low power scopes such as a four power scope or variable power scope set to lower power. Similarly, a larger reticle distance, such as ½″ or even larger can be used by lower power scopes at longer ranges such as 100 yards or 200 yards. The key is matching the target's reticle distance to the thickness of the scope's crosshairs at the distance being shot at. Furthermore, a variable scope can be adjusted to achieve optimal blanking of the lock on pattern.

Most reticles are black with the exception of certain reticles such as illuminated reticles. For constant reticle visibility, the foreground and background colors are ideally selected to contrast with the reticle color as well as with each other. It is for this reason that yellow, red, and blue have been selected as example foreground and background colors because they contrast with a black reticle.

The shapes of the wedges106are designed to guide the marksman's eye to the center of the target and into the ideal locked on position where the scope reticle completely or almost completely blanks the background color strips running down the center of each leg of the cross pattern. Recall that each leg of the cross pattern is a trapezoid pair. Experimentation has shown that wedges having a 34 degree angle at the vertex produce excellent results.

The offset marks107can be used by a marksman to test the mechanics of a firearm scope. Firearm scopes and their reticles are notoriously well known to those who enjoy, build, market, or repair firearms. A firearm scope is an optical sighting/aiming aid typically using lenses to magnify the image of a target and to display a reticle over top of the target. Returning now to the embodiments, a sighted in firearm should reliably place shots in the middle of the target at the center202. Assuming that target100is 12″×12″, the offset marks are four inches in each direction from the target center202. If a scope has “½ inch clicks,” then a marksman can enter eight clicks right, eight clicks up, aim at the target center, pull the trigger, and hit the top right offset mark. By then, entering sixteen clicks left and shooting for the target center, the marksman hits the top left offset mark. It is by entering clicks into the scope and observing projectile impacts that a marksman can determine how well the mechanisms within the scope are operating.

The foreground and background colors can be specified using color coordinates, as Pantone color numbers, or as colors on a Pantone card. For example, a target having a red foreground and a yellow background can be specified as having a “Pantone card 1.3c Yellow” background and a “Pantone 1795c” foreground. A different target having a yellow foreground and a blue background can be specified as having a “Pantone 311c” background and a “Pantone card 1.3c Yellow” foreground. Yet other embodiments can have a “Pantone card 1.3c Yellow” foreground and a highly contrasting background such as “Pantone 311c” blue. Note that “Pantone card 1.3c Yellow” is also known as “Pantone card 1.3c Process Yellow”.

FIG. 2illustrates a target200having a ½ inch trapezoid separation103and a reticle distance equaling the trapezoid separation103in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. Four trapezoid pairs102form a cross pattern201having a center202.

FIG. 3illustrates a right trapezoid101in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The right trapezoid101has a long side301, base302, short side303, and angled side304. The base302has a length here called the base length. The long side301and the angled side304meet at a pinnacle305. In the embodiments illustrated herein, the pinnacle is the point on the right trapezoid that is closest to the center202.

FIG. 4illustrates a target400having a ⅝ inch trapezoid separation103and a reticle distance equaling the trapezoid separation103in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. Recall that the ⅝ inch trapezoid separation (plus or minus printing tolerances and minor deviations) provides an optimal reticle distance for many scopes at a 100 yard distance, particularly lower powered optics such as, for example, fixed four power scopes or 1×-5× variable scopes. In addition, different scopes can have different thickness reticles depending on manufacturer or manufacturer's model.

FIG. 5illustrates a target500having a ¾ inch trapezoid separation103and a reticle distance equaling the trapezoid separation103in accordance with aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 6illustrates a target600having a ⅞ inch trapezoid separation103and a reticle distance equaling the trapezoid separation103in accordance with aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 7illustrates a target700having a 1 inch trapezoid separation103and a reticle distance equaling the trapezoid separation103in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. Notice that in this non-limiting example, the offset marks107appear approximately one inch square and that certain grid lines113appear to bisect the right trapezoids101along their long axis. The size of the offset marks107does not need to match the reticle distance103. For example, 1 inch square offset marks107may be on a ⅝ inch reticle distance target. As a further generalization, the offset marks107do not have to be centered on the target diagonals, on the axes of the wedges112, or two inches from the target sides. It is preferable, however, that the number of scope “clicks” from the center202to the offset mark107is easy to calculate. As such, it may be better for offset marks107to be offset from the target center202by an integer number of inches.

FIG. 8illustrates a target800having a 0 inch trapezoid separation and a 5/16 inch cross thickness such that each trapezoid pair becomes an obelisk and the reticle distance equals the cross thickness in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. Here, the “lock on” principal is somewhat altered in that the reticle blanks, or nearly blanks, the entire cross pattern. The word “blank” is understood to mean obscures, hides, or completely overlays. Some marksmen prefer for the reticle to completely blank the cross pattern of this embodiment or the centers of the cross patterns of the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-2 and 4-7. Other marksmen prefer nearly blanked over fully blanked.

FIG. 9illustrates a target900having a 0 inch trapezoid separation and a ½ inch cross thickness such that each trapezoid pair becomes an obelisk and the reticle distance equals the cross thickness in accordance with aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 10illustrates a target1000having a 0 inch trapezoid separation and a ⅝ inch cross thickness such that each trapezoid pair becomes an obelisk and the reticle distance equals the cross thickness in accordance with aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 11illustrates a target1100having a 0 inch trapezoid separation and a ¾ inch cross thickness such that each trapezoid pair becomes an obelisk and the reticle distance equals the cross thickness in accordance with aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 12illustrates a target1200having a 0 inch trapezoid separation and a ⅞ inch cross thickness such that each trapezoid pair becomes an obelisk and the reticle distance equals the cross thickness in accordance with aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 13illustrates a target1300having a 0 inch trapezoid separation and a 1 inch cross thickness such that each trapezoid pair becomes an obelisk and the reticle distance equals the cross thickness in accordance with aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 14illustrates a target1400having a 0 inch trapezoid separation, a 5/16 inch cross thickness, and a center structure1401such that each trapezoid pair becomes an obelisk and the reticle distance equals the cross thickness in accordance with aspects of the embodiments. The embodiment illustrated inFIG. 14does not show the points of the obelisks because the center structure is at the center of the target. This can be achieved by, for example, overlaying the center structure over the obelisk points and therefore hiding the obelisk points. Target1400is similar to targets800,900,1000,1100,1200, and1300excepting that target1400does not have offset marks, but does have a center structure1401. The center structure is four kite shapes, each approximately as thick as or slightly thicker than the cross thickness and meeting at the center202. The foreground can be in a yellow color such as “Pantone card 1.3c Yellow” while the background is black. The center structure can be in a third color such as blaze orange. The grid lines can be in a fourth color such as a green color that is visible against both a yellow foreground and a black background. Note that the centermost gridlines of other illustrated embodiments are not present in the embodiment ofFIG. 14and, as such, the center structure is not overlaid with a grid line.

FIG. 15illustrates a target1500having a 0 inch trapezoid separation, a 3/16 inch cross thickness, and a center structure1401such that each trapezoid pair becomes an obelisk and the reticle distance equals the cross thickness in accordance with aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 16illustrates a target1600having a 0 inch trapezoid separation, a ¼ inch cross thickness, and a center structure1601such that each trapezoid pair becomes an obelisk and the reticle distance equals the cross thickness in accordance with aspects of the embodiments.