Abstract:
A portable bullet target configured to improve the skills of a shooter includes, in one embodiment, a shooting plate which is attached to a frame by protrusions integral to the shooting plate to allow the shooting plate to visually deflect when hit by a bullet and to substantially return to its original position. In another embodiment, a foot or feet are attached to the frame to support the target. According to another embodiment, a plurality of portable targets are used in combination and may be attached together.

Description:
1. RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/581,051, filed Jun. 17, 2004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to improved bullet targets. More specifically, the present invention relates to modular targets which improve the function of the target to improve shooter abilities and to decrease broken targets. 
     2. State of the Art 
     In order to maintain proficiency in the use of firearms, it is common for law enforcement officers and sportsmen to engage in target practice. Target practice is both enjoyable to the individual and valuable training to increase the individual&#39;s skills and efficiency with a firearm. Accordingly, target practice increases the ability of an individual to use a firearm safely and effectively. 
     The use of shooting ranges for target practice provides a level of training which is difficult to duplicate in other types of target practice. Shooting ranges can provide multiple targets, moving targets, and other stimulus which may increase the effectiveness of the target practice in training the individual. 
     While target practice in a shooting range is advantageous, it is not always available to an individual desiring target practice. Accordingly, there is a need for portable shooting targets which allow an individual to achieve adequate practice with his or her firearm. 
     Portable targets have been used for some time. Many of these targets are limited in use. Because of the design of the targets, some targets may only be used where there is soft dirt into which stakes or metal poles which may be attached to the target may be inserted. Such targets can not be used where the ground is too hard to allow insertion of the stakes or poles. Likewise, they can not be used on asphalt or concrete. 
     Additionally, such targets may become loosened with use, as the impact of projectiles hitting the target moves the target and loosens the stakes or poles from the ground into which they are inserted. A target which becomes loose during use may become unsafe and ineffective to use for target practice. 
     Additionally, some targets are not suitable for use with larger firearms. Many targets are constructed by welding metal plates together, by bending or twisting metal plates, by using nuts or bolts to hold pieces of the target together, or by using hinges or other attachment mechanisms. Such construction methods are prone to failure with repeated use. The heat involved with welding metal may weaken the metal surrounding the joint. Additionally, welds tend to be brittle as compared to the metal itself, and welds are more prone to failure than plain metal plate. Additionally, welding increases the time and cost necessary to produce a target. Similarly, bending or twisting metal may make the metal more brittle and more prone to failure. The additional steps and machinery necessary to bend or twist the metal increase the cost to manufacture the target. 
     The use of bolts and hinges to manufacture targets is also disadvantageous, as the nuts, bolts, or hinges may be loosened or destroyed with use. The vibration of projectiles repeatedly hitting the target will typically loosen the nuts, bolts, or hinges. Loose joints on a target will make the target less functional and unsafe. Additionally, projectiles directly hitting the nuts, bolts, or hinges of a target may destroy the nuts, bolts, or hinges. For some bullets, a single bullet or a few bullets may destroy a nut, bolt, or hinge when striking it directly. 
     Some targets are simply made too thin or too weak to be useful as a target for larger firearms. The metal used for constructing the target may be too soft because of manufacturing constraints such as cutting, bending, or shaping, cost limitations, etc. For example, a twisted piece of metal for use as a target must usually be mild steel rather than hardened steel. Other targets are too expensive for many individuals. 
     Thus, there is a need for simple bullet targets which provide improved functionality for training and with improved wear characteristics. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide improvements in bullet targets. 
     In accordance with the above and other objects of the invention, an improved bullet target is provided, including a shooting plate which is configured to be impacted by a bullet, a frame for holding the shooting plate in a line of fire, and a foot or multiple feet for holding the frame in a generally vertical position. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the attachment mechanism is formed by an protrusion of metal from the shooting plate. The metal protrusion attaches the shooting plate to the frame in such a manner that the shooting plate will pivot and deflect each time it is hit, but will substantially return to its initial position (generally vertical) shortly after the impact. Thus, the shooting plate gives the visual appearance of being impacted as it is hit with each bullet to confirm to the shooter that he or she has hit the target. Because no hinge is directly formed on the shooting plate, the shooting plate is able to withstand a larger number of rounds without any damage to the pivoting mechanism. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the frame may be formed from a flat strip of steel which is bent so as to have a generally horizontal portion and two generally vertical portions. The horizontal portion is designed to be parallel with the ground, and the generally vertical portions are configured to support the shooting plate. Accordingly, the vertical portions may have holes formed in their upper ends which may receive the metal protrusions formed in the shooting plate. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the foot or feet are configured to attach to the lower portion of the frame, near or attached to the generally horizontal portion. The foot or feet are configured to extend forward and backward from the frame sufficiently to support the target and prevent the target from falling over when struck from projectiles from a firearm, bumped, confronted with wind, or other common interactions. The feet are also preferably configured to engage the frame so that the frame does not encounter a significant of splatter from bullets ricocheting off the target. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the target may be configured such that multiple targets may be used in combination. The targets may be configured such that multiple targets may be attached together. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the target shooting plate can be configured to present different shapes or colors or targets to the individual desiring target practice. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1 and 1A  show front and side views of a target known in the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of an improved target made in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a side perspective view of an improved target made in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a disassembled view of the individual pieces of an improved target made in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of multiple targets used together in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings in which the various elements of the present invention will be given numeral designations and in which the invention will be discussed so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that the following description is only exemplary of the principles of the present invention, and should not be viewed as narrowing the pending claims. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1 and 1A , there is shown front and side views of a target known to the prior art, generally indicated at  10 . The target includes a target plate  12  and a support piece  14 , which is used to hold the target plate  12  in a line of fire. The support piece  14  further comprises a cross member  16 . The cross member  16  is typically welded to the support piece  14 . The support piece  14  is typically configured to have two pointed ends  18   a  and  18   b . The pointed ends  18   a  and  18   b  are configured to be inserted into the ground. The cross member  16  may be configured to provide a place whereon the user may step to aid in pressing the ends  18   a  and  18   b  of the support piece  14  into the ground. 
     The weld joint between the support piece  14  and the cross member  16  creates a weak portion of the target support. During repeat fire situations, the weld can break due to the vibration of repeated rounds hitting the target plate or from direct hits to the welds by errant shots. This can eventually cause the cross member  16  to fall off of the support piece  14 , or otherwise interfere with the structural integrity of the target and the ability of the user to step on the cross member  16  to drive the pointed ends  18   a  and  18   b  into the ground. 
     The support piece  14  is typically formed from round steel rod which is bent into the shape shown. The cross member  16  is also typically formed from round steel rod. The support piece  14  acts as a pivot for the target plate  12 . The target plate  12  is usually formed with a hole  20 , as shown in view of side  12   a , through which the support piece  14  passes. The hole  20  is sized such that the target plate  12  pivots freely about the support piece  14 . 
     The target plate  12  is typically formed from plate steel, and is typically twisted  26  at the intersection between the central portion  22  and the rounded end portions  24   a  and  24   b . The twist  26  reduces the strength in the target as it creates a weaker location in the steel. Additionally the target plate  12  must be made of mild steel plate which allows twisting. Having a target portion which is twisted and formed of mild steel makes the target portion less durable and more prone to failure. 
     Targets which are formed from welded steel, or which have designs which incorporate twists, bends, or hinges, especially on the target plate or in close proximity, are more prone to failure because of how these construction methods weaken the steel or require softer steel to be used. 
     Additionally, the target  10  as known in the prior art must be used in an area with dirt which is sufficiently soft to allow the user to press the ends  18   a  and  18   b  of the support piece  14  into the dirt. This limits the number of areas where the target may be used. Additionally, dirt which is soft enough to allow use of the target  10  may not be hard enough to maintain the target firmly planted in the ground during a target shooting session. The holes formed in the dirt may become enlarged due to the vibrations and forces exerted on the target from the bullets striking the target. If the holes become enlarged, the target will be loosely held in the dirt, and could move with the impacts of successive bullets striking the target. This reduces the safety and effectiveness of the target. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a front perspective view of a target (indicated generally at  40 ) made in accordance with the present invention is shown. The target  40  comprises a shooting plate  42 , a frame  44 , and feet  46 . 
     The shooting plate  42  is formed from a single piece of flat steel, preferably hardened steel plate. The shooting plate  42  is typically configured to have a cross piece  42   a , two target plates  42   b  and  42   c , and two mounting protrusions  42   d . Because the entire shooting plate  42  is constructed out of a single flat plate of steel, no bending, twisting, welding, etc. is required. The absence of bends or twists allows the shooting plate  42  to be constructed out of a harder steel as compared to a steel which readily allows for bending or twisting during manufacture. The harder steel and absence of bends, twists, or welds makes the shooting plate  42  stronger and less prone to failure. As discussed previously, welds, bends, or twists are prone to break from the stresses and vibrations caused by the repeated impact of bullets. 
     The protrusions  42   d  are designed to fit rotatably in corresponding holes ( 50  in  FIG. 3 ) in the frame  44 . This allows the shooting plate  42  to rotate freely when struck by a bullet. (It will be appreciated that the entire cross piece could be sized similar to the protrusions if desired. 
     The shooting plate  42  is typically designed to have two target plates  42   b  and  42   c . These target plates may be a variety of shapes, such as circular, oval, rectangular, square, triangular, or polygonal, and may also be shaped to resemble animals, birds, rodents, rabbits, snakes, deer, or anything else that an individual might commonly shoot at. The two target plates  42   b  and  42   c  may also be made of different sizes. One will appreciate that the larger, and consequently heavier, of the two target plates  42   b  and  42   c  will naturally hang below the cross piece  42   a.    
     The target plates  42   b  and  42   c  may also be painted or otherwise finished to be different in color. This may be done so as to make the target more accurately resemble the item depicted in the target plate. Colors may also be selected for training purposes, such that the individual shooting at the target is required to shoot targets based on color. 
     The target  40  may also be designed such that different shooting plates  42  may be used, depending on the training desired. A user could select a shooting plate based on the shape or color of the target plates  42   b  and  42   c , and place the desired shooting plate  42  into the frame  44 . The upper ends of the frame could be stretched apart just far enough to allow the protrusions  42   d  of the shooting plate  42  to be removed from the holes ( 50  in  FIG. 3 ), and for a different shooting plate to be similarly inserted into the frame  44 . 
     The target  40  is also typically configured to have a foot or multiple feet  46 . The embodiment shown is configured to have two feet  46 , which attach to the lower portion of the frame  44 . The foot or feet  46  are typically designed to extend forwards and backwards from the target  40  to adequately support the target  40 . The feet  46  are designed such that the target  40  will not fall over during any occurrence which will commonly occur while an individual is engaged in target practice. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a side perspective view of the target of  FIG. 2 , indicated generally at  40 , and made in accordance with the present invention is shown. The target  40  comprises a shooting plate  42 , a frame  44 , and feet  46 .  FIG. 3  more clearly shows the holes  50  formed in both sides of the frame  44  and configured to receive the protrusions ( 42   d  of  FIG. 2 ) of the shooting plate  42 . Also visible in  FIG. 3  are connecting holes  52  which may be formed in the sides of frame  44 . The connecting holes  52  may be used to connect multiple targets  40  together, as will be discussed. 
     The feet  46  are shown to extend forwards and backwards from the frame  44 . The feet  46  may extend further backwards from the frame  44  to prevent the target  40  from falling backwards from the impact of bullets striking the target. 
     One important aspect of the feet  46  is that they engage the frame  44  so that the frame is held at an angle less than vertical. In such a manner, bullet fragments ricocheting off the shooting plate  42  are more likely to impact the ground than the frame  44 . This reduces wear on the frame and provides improved longevity. For example, if a shooter shoots toward the shooting plate from the left, bullets fragments will ricochet off the plate downwardly and outwardly prior to impacting the frame  44 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , multiple views of the individual pieces of the target are shown. The feet  46  may be configured to have downwardly extending protrusions  60  to allow the feet  46  to rest more securely on ground which may be uneven. The feet  46  may also be formed with a slot  62 . The slot  62  is typically configured to allow insertion of the frame  44  into the slot  62 , allowing the feet  46  to be slid onto the lower portion of the frame  44   a . The frame may have protrusions  64  against which the feet may rest when installed on the frame  44 . The protrusions prevent the feet from sliding too far inwardly on the frame  44 , making the target unstable. 
     The frame  44  may also have holes  66  on the lower portion  44   a  of the frame  44 . Bolts can be placed through the holes  66  after the feet have been installed to prevent the feet  46  from sliding outwardly on the frame. Conversely, long spikes  68  may be inserted downwardly through the holes  66  after the feet  46  have been installed. The spikes  68  will prevent the feet from sliding outwardly on the frame  44 , and also are long enough to extend downwardly into the ground and prevent the target from sliding. 
     The embodiment of the target shown is thus advantageous in that it may be used both on dirt, or more solid surfaces which do not readily allow for insertion of a spike to secure a target. On a hard surface, the feet  46  may be installed without spikes  68 . The target will then rest on the surface. The feet  46  are sufficiently large to prevent the target from falling, and may be designed to also prevent the target from sliding if configured to have some relatively sharp points or corners on the bottom of the feet  46  or the protrusions  60  on the feet  46 . The same target, if used on softer ground, may be securely attached to the ground by inserting spikes  68  through the holes  66  in the lower portion of the frame  44   a.    
     The frame  44  is typically constructed from flat plate steel with two bends  70  to shape the frame into a U shape. It is advantageous to construct the frame  44  from bent plate steel as compared to welded steel, as the bends will be less prone to failure that welds. Additionally, the bends  70  are placed at a reasonable distance away from the shooting plate  42 . This lessens the impact of the vibrations and stresses on the bends  70  resulting from the bullets striking the shooting plate  42 . The design is particularly advantageous because the entire shooting plate  42  is constructed from a single piece of plate steel. Also shown in  FIG. 4  are the holes  52  in the frame  44  which may be used to attach multiple targets together. 
     The shooting plate  42  is shown with target plates  42   b  and  42   c  of different sizes. Round target plates  42   b  and  42   c  are shown, but it will be appreciated that many shapes may be used. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view is shown of two targets, indicated generally at  80  and  82 , used in combination. Individuals may desire to use multiple targets in combination to provide different training options. For example, the shooting plates  84   a  and  84   b  may be selected such that the target plates  86   a–d  present a variety of shapes and colors to the individual using the targets  80  and  82  for target practice. Using target plates  86   a–d  which are of different shapes or colors, a trainer may call out or otherwise signal various shapes or colors and require the shooter to quickly identify the corresponding target and shoot appropriately. 
     When multiple targets  80  and  82  are used in combination, the user may desire to attach the targets together with bolts  88  and nuts  90 . The user may also use a spacer  92  place between the targets  80  and  82  to maintain a proper distance between the targets  80  and  82  so as to allow the shooting plates  84   a  and  84   b  to move freely. Attaching the targets  80  and  82  together with bolts  88  and nuts  90  allows the user to more easily fix the arrangement of the targets  80  and  82  relative to one another, provides some added measure of stability to the targets  80  and  82 , and limits the number of feet needed to stabilize the target. 
     Although the bolts  88  and nuts  90  are exposed to stray bullets which might hit the bolts  88  or nuts  90  instead of the target plates  86   a–d , the bolts  88  and nuts  90  are not an important structural part of the targets  80  and  82 , as both of the targets  80  and  82  are designed as separate, stand-alone targets and do not rely on the bolts  88  or nuts  90  for structural integrity. If the bolts  88  or nuts  90  are hit and damaged by a few stray bullets, they may simply be replaced when the user disassembles and reassembles the targets  80  and  82  for use in combination. Because the targets  80  and  82  are portable, it is anticipated that the targets  80  and  82 , if used in combination, will be bolted together when set up for a day of target practice and unbolted when taken down for the day. If the user desires to again use the targets  80  and  82  in combination for a different target practice session, the user will be able to easily determine if the bolts  88  or nuts  90  have been damaged, and be able to replace damaged bolts  88  or nuts  90  when setting up the targets  80  and  82 . 
     One significant advantage of the present invention is that the entire target can be cut from a single piece of hardened plate steel. A piece of plate steel can be placed on a cutting table and an automated cutting torch or other cutting device can cut out each of the pieces. The only handling necessary it to make two quick bends in the frame and the target is ready for shipping. 
     Thus, there is disclosed an improved target. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications can be made with out departing from the scope of the invention. The appended claims are intended to cover such modifications.