Abstract:
A multiple target apparatus having an array of target plates arrayed linearly and pivotally on a first elongate shaft; a plurality of torsion providing components located on the first shaft are adapted to bias the targets in an upright mode; each target has a depending arm pinned to rotate upon the imposed deflection of a target by a speeding projectile to a latching position. Arrayed upon a spaced apart, second shaft are a like number of rigid levers spanning the lateral space between the first and second shafts. A detent on the one end of each of the depending arms is adapted to be contacted and arrested by the opposing lever until such are dislodged by a descrete target deflection and array reset, which are located at one end of the device, such that upon imposed rotation of the reset means, it also releases the latching position of the other targets.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS 
     This is a non-provisional patent specification submitted for an official filing receipt under Code Section 111(a) and which claims priority under Code Section 119 ( ) and 37 C.F.R. Section 1.78(3)from my provisional specification filed Sep. 14, 2000, being given U.S. Serial No. 60/232,509, and having the same title. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The art has disclosed a number of devices that qualify as target resetting systems. Hoy U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,988 (1990) is to a multiplicity of upright target assemblies, in which, when a first target is knocked down and held deflected by a latch, then as to a second reset target upon striking same, it moves to unlatch the first knocked down target. However, the inherent target resistance level is not adjustable and requires a minimum level of projectile velocity to be activated. 
     Rosellen U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,722 (1993) is another resettable target, but with the single reset target being aligned diametrically opposite from the main target array. Moreover, the latching/reset linkages are quite complex (compare FIGS.  5 / 6 ), also being gravity dependent and operable only in the mode depicted. 
     Estrella U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,043 (1994) is another target resetting system, involving a racheting system and gears, requiring the target mounting shaft to be rotated with the assistance of lever arms (compare FIGS.  2 / 4 ), it is depicted as in extreme complexity of the ratcheting and reset devices. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a portable target resetting device in which the array of targets, including the reset target, are substantially located on the same plane, and which device can also operate in the inverted position, as well, for safety purposes. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a target array in which the effecting projectile force and/or target distance can be varied, to one which is adequate for target deflection, allowing a range of projectile sizes usable with a single target array. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a resettable target array with a uncomplicated linkage means, which latches a hit target and sets one or all of them upon striking of the single reset control target means. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a resettable target array in which any number of targets can be deflected, permitting a reset action to be triggered, should a shooter have expended his clip without deflecting all his targets. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic front (display side) elevation view of how the resettable target array of the present invention appears to an approaching practice shooter; 
     FIG. 2 is an above angle, perspective view of the target array system depicting their underlying elongate support and action shafts, and their associated helical spring rotational biasing mechanisms; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration depicting the use of the target array at the point where the shooter is now striking the reset target to bring the entire array target upright; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the present system depicting the targets array, all being upright and of the associated pair of torsion-biased elongate bars and their interconnecting levers; 
     FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of typical target plate depicting its pivoted target support means and the associated deflecting and latching mechanism; 
     FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the resetting target plate depicting the pivotable target support and the associated transient deflection and array resetting mechanism; 
     FIG. 7 is a broken out, reverse side, perspective view of the one of the intermediate targets, depicting its deflection and latching mechanism, which corresponds to the view FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a broken away, perspective view of the reverse view of the present array, depicting two of the targets in the deflected mode, but capable of reset; and, 
     FIG. 9 is a broken out, reverse side, perspective view of the one terminal end of the device frame which supports the reset target, along with its discrete deflection, and array reset linkage, and corresponds to view of FIG. 6; and 
     FIG. 10 is a broken away, enlarged top side view of a segment of the rearward mechanism of FIG. 5 (rotated 180 degrees) depicting the lever return arresting device for targets  1 - 5 . 
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, there is provided a multiple target apparatus having: an array of discrete target plates arrayed linearly on and mounted pivotally upon a horizontal elongate rigid first rod; a plurality of first torsion-providing means encasing the first rod substantially along its length, and which first means is adapted to bias a first target to rotate in a first arcuate direction that normally maintains the associated target in an upright mode; a spaced-apart, horizontal elongate second rod, being substantially parallel with the first elongate rod, has a second torsion-providing means, encasing the second rod substantially along its length, and which second torsion means is adapted to bias rotation of said second rod in the opposing arcuate direction to that of the first rod; at least one target deflection and arrest means is functionally interconnecting the first and second rods, which said arrest means comprising a depending first arm tied to the pivotal axis of the first target plate; a rigid first lever spanning the space between the second elongate rod and the depending first arm, and with lever end being slightly offset from that first arm at the depending first longitudinal end thereof; a first detent means secured proximal to the free longitudinal end of the first lever means and adapted to contact and arrest the counter-rotation of the depending end of the first arm of the first target plate; the first lever means also being tied at the other longitudinal end thereof to the second rod; a single target deflection and array reset means functionally associated with a second target plate, comprising: a second lever means spanning the space between the second elongate rod and the depending second arm; a second detent means secured flush with the free longitudinal end of the second lever means; the second arm, which is adapted to make transient contact with the somewhat longer, second arm of the second target reset means, such that when the second target plate of the array reset means is deflected backwardly by a projectile impact, then the second arm rotates clockwise and depresses both the second lever means and its associated second rod, and thus concurrently depresses the remote, first lever means, inter alia, thereby spacing apart the first detent means and the associated depending first arm, allowing the first torsion means of the first rod to rotate both the associated first target from an arrested deflection position back to the upright position, as well as rotation to the upright of the second target. In a preferred embodiment, the first arcuate direction of the first rod is the one that rotates an associated target means such that the unlatched first target rotates in a first arcuate direction from an inclined deflection mode to an upright mode, whereby the second torsion-providing means rotates the second rod reciprocally in the opposite arcuate direction, returning each of the first and second lever means to a non-arrest mode for the associated depending arms thereof of each. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawing, and to FIG. 1 in particular, there is seen a schematic view of the display facade of a resettable target array of the present invention, comprising an elongate rectangular frame, generally  20 , with paired sets of stilt-like support legs,  22 L/M/R, and an exemplary, substantially linear, array of six targets,  26 A-F, with each face plate numbered  1  to  5 , all being independently deflectable by a bullet, and each retainable in that back deflection mode (FIG.  2 ). However, the sixth end target,  26 F (letter R inscribed), provides a single deflectable and array reset means for the depicted array in a manner to be described. 
     In the downward angle, perspective view of FIG. 2, it will be seen that each target bottom arcuate edge (periphery), is mounted upon an elongate first support rod  28 , which rod is supported at its opposing longitudinal ends upon the transverse elements,  30 L/R, within the lower end brackets,  32 L/R, of rectangular frame  20 , with the targets themselves being rotatable upon a discrete collar encasing the rod segments. 
     First rod  28  is encased through most of its linear length by a set of like helical springs,  34 A/F, each of which are operatively connected to one of the plate-like targets,  26 A/F, themselves. For example, left end, coiled spring  34 A is linked to left hand target  26 A (# 1 ), and will then serve to continuously bias that specific target to be in the erect mode, as is depicted, until a projectile (not seen) provides the kinetic energy needed to deflect target  26 A arcuately backward (See FIG.  3 ). An associated mechanism, to be described, then arrests the deflected target  26 A in the “knock-down mode” so it is mostly out of line of sight until a later event, also to be described, which event will reset target  26 A, and any, or all, of the other numbered deflected targets  26 A/E, deflected by hitting target “R”, the reset target. 
     Behind each of the targets is a separate rigid means, such as lever  36 A, the free end,  37 A, of which (FIG. 5) functionally contacts the opposing targets in a manner, to be described. Each of transverse levers,  36 A/F, are pinned at their rearward longitudinal ends to a second elongate rod  38 , which is spaced apart from, and parallel to, the first rod  28 , which is also similarly mounted at its longitudinal ends, rotatably to members  30 L/R frame  20 . As with first rod, a plurality of helical springs,  40 A/F, encase rearward rod  38 , and they serve to bias that rod, and its attached levers,  36 A/E, to rotate in an upward (clockwise) direction, whereby the lever free ends,  37 A/E, will make contact with the arms,  46 A/E, depending from target support collar,  44 A/E (FIG.  5 ). 
     FIG. 3 depicts schematically a target user directing a bullet, at the reset target,  26 F, after the first five targets have been deflected and arrested in the deflected position. The transient deflection of target  26 F will serve to reset the entire array by means, to be described. 
     In the top plan view of FIG. 4, the interconnection of each of the upright targets  26 A to  26 F, to the spaced apart, torsionally-biased rotatable elongate bars,  28  and  38 , and the spanning levers,  36 A to  36 F, which are each pinned spaced apart to the rearward rod  38 , are better seen. 
     Aligned along second rod  38 , on the upper perimeter thereof, and a spaced apart set of arrest elements  39 A/E located proximal to each lever  36 A/E. They serve to arrest the rotation upwardly of each lever, while it is subjected to the second set of torsional bearing means  40 A/F. 
     Averting to the vertical cross sectional view of FIG. 5, there is depicted how any single one, or all, of the deflectable targets,  1  to  5 , appear after their deflection by a projectile (not  20  seen). Each target support collar, generally  44 A, is provided with a depending rigid arm  46 A. Detent  52 A is mounted proximal to, but spaced apart from, the opposing free longitudinal end of spanning lever  36 A. The upward bias of lever arm  36 A (induced by associated rearward helical spring  40 A) has been interrupted by the clockwise rotation (a projectile impact on target  26 A), which then engages detent  52 A located on spanning lever end  37 A, to prevent the return of target  26 A to the vertically erect position of FIG.  1 . This depicted deflection for the target  26 A will remain in the arrest mode, until some later event (like a FIG. 3 firing), which breaks the seating contact, at least momentarily, such would then permit the torsion-induced bias of helix  34 A on the target support assembly  44 A to rotate target  26 A back to the upright position (seen in phantom). 
     When the “knockdown” of reset target  26 F occurs (FIG.  3 ), the downward deflection of ganged lever  36 F rolls up on  52 F, and rotates shaft  38  counter-clockwise. The shaft  38  rotation concurrently rotates ganged levers  36 A/E, releasing them, so that each of the deflected targets  26 A/E, will rotate back to the erect mode. At this moment, helical spring  34 F rotates also resets target  26 F back to the erect mode. 
     In the vertical cross sectional view of FIG. 6, the differing free end configuration, namely of edge-mounted detent,  52 F, on spanning lever  36 F is depicted. Only depending arm  46 F has on its terminal end, a cylindrical bar  54 F, so that the depending end  52 F of depending arm  46 F is not arrested by the arcuate movement bias inherent in lever  36 F. Depending arm  46 F itself, being somewhat longer than all of the other arms, like  46 A, such that when target  26 F is deflected backwardly, spanning lever  36 F is depressed more steeply than any of the similar arrayed levers, like adjacent lever  36 E (FIG.  7 ), would be. A transient gap,  53 A, (FIG. 5) is created briefly by the projectile-driven downward rotation of rearward ganged support rod  38  (FIG.  5 ), which breaks the seating of dependent contact arm  46 A and lever detent  52 A (and of all other targets), thus permitting associated target  26 A to return to the erect mode. Similarly, as the rearward deflection of reset target  52 F is a transient one, since lacking any arrest effect by detent  52 F on arm  36 F, then that target concurrently returns to the erect mode, as shown in phantom. All six targets are now reset for another of shooting round. 
     With respect to the broken out perspective view of FIG. 7, the option of varying the resistance of a target, like  26 E, to projectile impact, will now be described. Helical spring  34 F provides an upright bias to target  26 E at its inner end,  351 , while the outer spring end,  35  O, is pinned to rotatable collar  41 . Collar  41  is locked upon shaft  28  via a set screw  41 S. By temporary release of set screw  41 S, and rotation of associated shaft of collar  41 , the biasing tension imposed upon target  26 E can be varied. Then, the set screw  41  S is tightened down to hold the new position for collar  41 . The purpose of this adjustment is to accommodate the variable projectile momentum of different bullets, from small caliber to higher powered rifles. 
     The reverse side, perspective view of FIG. 7 corresponds to the vertical sectional view of FIG. 5, and somewhat better depicts how each of deflected targets,  26 A/E, are arrested by the associated spanning lever means  36 A/E. This arrest mode exists until the target array reset sequence, just described above, is activated by firing upon adjacent reset target  26 F only. It is noteworthy that the force of the torsional bias provided by helical spring  40 F approximates the sum of forces provided by the bias of springs  40 A to  40 E. 
     The perspective view of the observe side of FIG. 8 is complemental of the display side (legs omitted), perspective view of FIG.  2 . Note that only targets  26 A and  26 D are deflected, and thus are held in the arrest position. The other three targets,  26 B, C, and E, are still upright as is, of course, reset target  26 F. At this juncture, if the shooter has expended all but one of his ammo clip of bullets, he can use his last shell to strike reset target  26 F, and thus to reset the entire target array. This is done either for starting his next clip of bullets or, as a courtesy, by resetting same for the next user of the target array. The entire target array,  26 A/F, will again display upright as in the schematic view of FIG.  1 . 
     In the reverse side of perspective view of FIG. 9, such corresponds to the sectional view of FIG. 1, and is the different configuration for the free end of lever  36 F, here being depicted in the stage of its maximum downward deflection by depending arm  26 F, which transient stage effects a gap (FIG. 5) between the depending arm and the detent-bearing lever, for each of targets  26 A/E. As noted, this transient gap permits each of the five targets to arcuately rotate to the vertical mode of FIG. 1, along with the reset target (R) itself. After reset, the several detents ( 52 ) mounted on spanning levers ( 36 ) are spaced apart from the lower ends of the depending target arms  46 . This target array deflection obtains until an induced deflection permits such a depending end arm ( 46 A) to pass over its associated offset detent, and then arrest the target in the position depicted in FIG.  5 . 
     In the broken out view of FIG. 10, the rod biasing assembly  40 A which regulates the rotatable action of spanning lever  36 A, via rearward elongate rod  38  is seen. As noted, lever  36 A, which extends transversely of elongate rods  28  and  38 , serves to cooperate with a depending lever arm  46 A (FIG. 5) and is pinned to rearward rod  38 , as are all other spanning levers,  36 A/F. Associated torsional spring  40 A provides the upward (clockwise) bias for lever  36 A, when the latter is freed to rotate arcuately. Erect post  41 A is mounted fixedly upon the  20  collar  36 T, which is pinned to elongate shaft  38  itself. Angle-shaped, linear detent component,  39 A, is aligned axially along rod  38  so as to provide an arrest element for the moving vertical post  41 A. As described in relation to correlated FIGS. 5 and 7, when lever  36 A rotates upwardly, post  41 A on collar  36 T makes contact with detent  39 A, which limits the arcuate rotation of free lever end  37 A to the arrest position depicted in FIG.  5 . This arrest feature obtains for each of levers  36 A/E. As to the target reset assembly  40 F of FIG. 6, such a detent component and associated post arrest device are unnecessary, for the reasons discussed previously.