Abstract:
A three-dimensional target includes a target shell shaped into the form of an animal and a three-dimensional removable target insert bearing indicia of the animal&#39;s vital organs. The target insert slidably inserts into a vital organ cavity formed in the shell. The target allows the shooter to more accurately assess the internal penetration and effectiveness of his or her shots.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional Application No. 60/269,932, filed Feb. 21, 2001. 
     
    
     
       GRANT REFERENCE  
         [0002]    Not applicable.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention is directed to the field of targets. More particularly, this invention concerns a three-dimensional archery target having an animal-shaped body and a removable three-dimensional target insert that simulates the animal&#39;s vital organs. The archery target not only provides a longer lasting archery target, but also provides a practice experience more closely related to actual bow hunting of game animals. Regardless of the archer&#39;s firing position relative to the target, an indication of the accuracy, internal penetration and likely damage of the shot is readily observable.  
           [0004]    Conventional three-dimensional life-size animal-simulating archery targets suffer from several drawbacks. Conventional targets are typically formed from a single piece of molded foam having a shape resembling that of a game animal, for example a deer or a bear. The archers usually stand to the side of the target and aim at the chest area because puncturing a vital organ located in the chest cavity, such as the heart or lungs, of the animal simulated by the target is the most humane and expedient way to kill the animal. Unfortunately, using the target in this manner causes relatively quick destruction of the side surfaces of the target due to repeated strikes from arrows. The user must soon replace the entire target, which involves a substantial expenditure. Second, horizontal broadside shots are rare in actual hunting experience. Typically the hunter fires an arrow from a tree stand located above the animal or a crouching or prone position located below the animal. The arrow often approaches the animal from the front or rear. It is difficult to tell with single-piece molded foam targets whether such skewed shots would be accurate or effective in reaching the vital organs of an animal in real life.  
           [0005]    One attempt at increasing the useful life of a foam target is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,403 issued to Morrell and entitled “Three-Dimensional Archery Target.” The archery target includes an elongated, substantially cylindrical target insert adapted to be received in and substantially fill a cutout in the chest area of the foam body. In one embodiment, the target further includes a thin body cover for covering the target insert and the cutout so as to provide a uniform appearance of the exterior of the game animal target. The body cover includes a two-dimensional representation of a bull&#39;s eye, scoring rings, or depiction of vital organs on the exterior thereof to indicate the primary aiming point for arrows directed at the target. It is disclosed that the body cover can be omitted and a bull&#39;s eye or scoring rings could be painted or printed on the side of the target insert. In one embodiment, a free floating central core of a penetration resistant material resides inside the target insert. The free floating central core is oriented parallel to the front and back surfaces of the target insert and serves to absorb arrow impacts without being penetrated. The free floating core is concealed within the target insert and is not readily removable or viewable. While the Morrell target has increased useful life, it fails to specifically address the problem of providing more accurate information concerning regarding the internal penetration of shots.  
           [0006]    Therefore, there is a need for an improved three-dimensional life-size animal-simulating archery target that is longer lasting and more accurately scores arrow shots according to the damage they might inflict on the vital organs of an animal in real life.  
           [0007]    Thus, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved three-dimensional archery target.  
           [0008]    A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an archery target having a removable three-dimensional vital organ insert slidably inserted in a vital organ cavity within the game target shell.  
           [0009]    A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a target insert having a three-dimensional representation of the vital organs of an animal thereon.  
           [0010]    A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a three-dimensional animal-simulating archery target that more accurately detects whether arrows have struck the location of the animal&#39;s vital organs.  
           [0011]    A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a three-dimensional archery target that accurately scores non-broadside arrow shots.  
           [0012]    These and other objectives will become apparent from the drawings, as well as from the description and claims that follow.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    The present invention is directed to the field of targets in general and, more specifically, to hunting or archery targets. The invention provides a three-dimensional archery target that has a shell shaped into the form of an animal, including but not limited to a deer, bear, elk, etc. The shell has a vital organ cavity formed therein. A removable target insert bearing indicia, preferably three-dimensional, of the animal&#39;s vital organs slidably inserts into the cavity through an opening in the shell. The target allows the archer to view the internal penetration of the arrow and more accurately assess or “score” the shot. Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein show the target shaped like a deer, a bear on all four legs, and a bear standing on its hind legs, but the invention could be adapted to resemble any animal. The invention also provides a unique method of determining the accuracy of archery shots. The invention is directed to improving a shooter&#39;s accuracy by allowing him or her to see the internal penetration of his or her shots, which applies to the hunting field but is not necessarily limited thereto. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a three-dimensional archery target simulating a deer according to the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view of the chest, torso, or thorax portion of the deer target of FIG. 1 and shows the three-dimensional vital organ removable target insert of this invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the target insert of FIG. 2.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a three-dimensional archery target simulating a bear according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the target insert of FIG. 4.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a standing bear according to an alternative embodiment of this invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the target insert of FIG. 6.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a partial elevational view of the left side of the thorax portion of the bear target taken along line  8 - 8  in FIG. 6. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, a three-dimensional life-size animal-simulating archery game target is generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . The target  10  has a shell  12  formed into the shape of an animal, such as a deer. The shell  12  is constructed of a molded polyurethane foam that is well known and conventional in the three-dimensional game target art. Preferably the density of the foam used to construct the shell  12  is similar to the density of the actual animal&#39;s flank so that a realistic target results. The foam shell  12  is supported in an upright position by a plurality of legs  14  that can be anchored to the ground in a conventional manner. The general construction of deer-like and bear-like foam targets are disclosed by Morrell in U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,403, and therefore will not be repeated in detail herein.  
         [0023]    The shell  12  has a torso, thorax, or chest portion  16  that is preferably bisected into substantially identical shell halves by a central vertical plane that includes the longitudinal axis  18  of the target  10 . As best seen in FIG. 2, the thorax portion  16  includes a pair of outer or distal sections  20 ,  22  and a proximal or inner section  24  located therebetween. The inner section  24  has a vital organ cavity  26  therein. The vital organ cavity  26  extends inwardly from an elongated opening  28  in the shell  12 . Preferably the opening  28  is in a top portion of the shell  12  in the deer-like target  10  illustrated. The opening  28  has a width W 1  substantially less than the overall width W 2  of the shell  12  adjacent the opening, i.e.—across the distal or outer (flank) sections  20 ,  22 . Preferably the shell  12  has a wall thickness T adjacent the vital organ cavity  26  that approximately simulates the thickness of the animal&#39;s flank or other relevant body feature. In the illustrated embodiment of a deer or similar animal which stands on four legs, the cavity  26  extends along the vertical plane of symmetry of the thorax portion of the shell  12 .  
         [0024]    A removable target insert  30  slidably inserts in the vital organ cavity  26  through the opening  28 . The insert  30  is three-dimensional and has a prismatic insert base  32  with opposing front and rear surfaces  34 ,  36 . Preferably the insert base  32  is rectangular, but other shapes including but not limited to round, oval, etc. will not detract from the invention provided that the shape of the cavity  26  is adjusted accordingly. The front surface  34  bears indicia  38  thereon representing one or more vital organs of the animal. The indicia  38  could be two-dimensional, but preferably includes a three-dimensional heart-shaped member  40  attached to the front surface  34  of the base  32 . The heart-shaped member  40  protrudes or extends in a forward direction from the base  32  as shown. Preferably the indicia  38  also includes a three-dimensional lung-shaped member attached to the front surface  34  of the base  32  and protruding therefrom in a similar manner. To enhance the realistic nature, versatility and durability of the target  10  and the insert  30 , a second three-dimensional heart-shaped member optionally attaches to and protrudes in a rearward direction from the rear surface  36  of the base  32 . Similarly, a second three-dimensional lung-shaped member optionally attaches to the rear surface  36  so as to protrude in a rearward direction therefrom. Thus, it can be seen that the target insert  30  is a rectangular core and raised surfaces protruding therefrom so as to resemble the vital organs of the animal that the target  10  depicts.  
         [0025]    The base  32  of the target insert  30  is preferably constructed of a polyurethane foam or other substantially rigid, penetration resistant material. Although a foam with the same density as the shell  12  may be used, preferably the insert base  32  is constructed of a material with a density substantially greater than the density of the shell  12  to stop the arrows  50  from passing through. The heart-shaped member  40  and the lung-shaped member  42  are also preferably formed of polyurethane foam material, but the density is preferably approximately the same or less than the material of the shell  12 . More preferably, the material forming the heart-shaped member  40  and lung-shaped member  42  has a density approximating the density of the heart and lungs in an actual animal so as to more closely simulate arrow penetration under hunting conditions. If similar density material is utilized for the insert base  32  and the members  40 ,  42 , the target insert can be integrally molded as a single-piece. If materials of different densities are utilized, the members  10  and  42  (or combinations thereof) attach to the base  32  using solvents, cement for use with urethane foam, staples, or other conventional attachment means.  
         [0026]    The opening  28  preferably includes a central portion  44  that is wide enough to slidably receive the central portion of the insert  30  that has the raised indicia  40 ,  42  of the vital organs thereon. A peripheral gap is maintained between the insert  30  and the walls of at least the central portion  44  of the opening  28  so arrow penetration can be seen. To more effectively restrain and hold the target insert  30  upright, the ends  46 ,  48  of the opening  28  are preferably stepped to a narrower width than the central portion  44 .  
         [0027]    To assemble the game target  10 , the user slides the target insert  30  into the opening  28  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. When the insert  30  becomes damaged or disintegrated by repeated arrow strikes, the user merely removes the insert  30  from the cavity  26  and reverses the front and rear surfaces  34 ,  36  or replaces it. As discussed below, the target  10  prolongs the life of the shell  12  by allowing both broadside and skewed shots to be scored.  
         [0028]    When practicing with the target  10 , the archer can take any shooting position relative to the target. The archer can shoot from above, below, in front of, or behind the target, as well as from the usual broadside standing position. The target user scores or determines the accuracy of the arrow shot by viewing the target insert  30  through the opening  28 . This can be accomplished without removing the arrow  50  or the insert  30 . Since the strikes of the arrows  50  can be observed through the top opening  28 , it is unnecessary to uncover the broadside portion of the target insert  30  or remove a portion of the shell  12 . A successful hit is scored when the arrow  50  strikes the vital organ indicia  38  on the target insert  30 . Higher scores might be assigned to hits which strike the heart-shaped member  40  than the lung-shaped member  42 , if desired. The target  10  with its insert  30  provides a realistic, accurate and readily viewable representation of the internal penetration of the arrow  50 .  
         [0029]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4, wherein the game target  10 A has a target shell  12 A shaped into the form of a bear standing on all four legs  14 A. FIG. 5 illustrates the target insert  30 A utilized in the bear-like target  10 A. The size, shape and location of the heart-shaped member  40 A and the lung-shaped member  42 A are adjusted to more closely simulate the anatomy of a bear. As with the deer-like target insert  30 , the indicia  38  of the vital organs, such as  40 A,  42 A, can be located on the front surface  34 A or both the front surface  34 A and the rear surface  36 A. Of course, the vital organ cavity  26 A and the opening  28 A must also be adjusted accordingly to slidably receive the insert  30 A in a substantially anatomically correct location, but the illustration of FIG. 2 is still representative. The opening  28 A is still located at the top of the target  10 A.  
         [0030]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 6, wherein the target  10 B simulates a bear standing on its two rear legs  14 B. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the target insert  30 B includes two lung-shaped members  42 B on the front surface  34 B of the base  32 B. A heart-shaped member  40 B is on the front surface  34 B between the lung-shaped members  42 B. The size, shape and location of the vital organ members  40 B,  42 B are adjusted to more closely simulate the anatomy of a bear standing on its hind legs. Of course, the vital organ cavity  26 B and the opening  28 B must also be adjusted accordingly to slidably receive the insert  30 B in a substantially anatomically correct location. Thus, the opening  28 B is located at the right or left side of the target  10 B. The cavity  20 B extends along a vertical plane of symmetry that bisects the target  10 B into similar front and rear shell halves. As with the deer-like target insert  30 , the indicia  38  of the vital organs, such as  40 B,  42 B, can be located on the front surface  34 B or both the front surface  34 B and the rear surface  36 B. FIG. 8 is a view of the opening  28 B, cavity  26 B and the insert  30 B for the standing bear target  10 B. The user scores shots, as well as removes and installs the target insert  30 B from the side of the target  10 B.  
         [0031]    Thus, it can be seen that the present invention at least satisfies its stated objectives. The invention is also adaptable for providing targets for other types of projectiles, including but not limited to darts, bullets, and pellets. Almost any animal could be simulated, even a human.  
         [0032]    In the drawings and specifications, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment invention, and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form, proportion, and relative location of parts as well as in the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.