Abstract:
A portable, moving target system that generates variable movements and mimics movements of prey. Movement of the target system may be varied in speed and pattern.

Description:
Related Applications 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/136,066 entitled “Movable Target System and Method”, filed 20 Mar. 2015. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to targets and more specifically to a manually operable moving target system for improving the accuracy of a shooter. Targets have been used for many years for practice and to aid users in improving shooting skills and accuracy. Targets may come in various sizes and configurations to match the intent and needs of the user. Furthermore, targets may be moveable to mimic the moving prey a hunter may encounter or to increase difficulty for the user, thereby further enhancing a target practice session. Known target devices may be difficult to transport or assemble. Further, many targets do not adequately challenge a user to improve his accuracy, either due to its stationary nature, or because the movement of a moving target is predictable, unrealistic, or otherwise simplistic in manner. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides a moving target system that is portable, easy to transport and install, and may be used as both a moving and stationary target. The present device may be used indoors or outside, as desired. Moreover, the present system is able to generate movements that challenge the user and mimic movements of prey in a more realistic manner than known systems. Further, movement of the present target system may be varied in speed and pattern to create a more challenging arrangement for the user, all while keeping the operator out of the line of fire. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art movable target. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a view of a movable target system according to the present invention and showing operation of the device. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3A  is a view of a target for use with the present system and showing a detachable target support. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3B  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 3 , but showing the target attached to a target support. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4A  is a view of a first upright support post for use with the present system and showing movement of the slidable collar and pulley with tension applied to the elongate support member. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4B  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 4A , but showing movement of the slidable collar with tension released from the elongate support member. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4C  is an enlarged view of the first support post and showing the collar with attached elongate support member. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4D  is an enlarged view of a lower portion of the first support post and showing the elongate support member in stowed position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a second support post for use with the present system and showing a counterweight attached to the elongate support member. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5B  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the support post illustrated in  FIG. 5A  and showing the reverse side of an upper portion with pulley system for use with the counterweight. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the movable target system illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5B  and showing a method of operating the device with the operator controlling tension on the elongate support member, the collar in a first position, and the target adjacent a support post. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the movable target system similar to that of  FIG. 6A , and showing a step of operating the device with the operator increasing tension on the elongate support member, the collar rising to a second position, and the target moving between the support posts. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of the movable target system similar to that of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  and showing a further step of operating the device, with the operator increasing tension on the elongate support member, the collar rising to a third position, and the target moving toward an opposite support post.  FIG. 6D  is a perspective view of the movable target system similar to that of  FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C  and showing a another step of operating the device, with the operator decreasing tension on the elongate support member, the collar falling to a lower position, and the target moving back toward the first support post. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a view of a second support post for use with the present system, similar to that of  FIG. 5A , but showing a spring member providing tension and attached to the elongate support member. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view similar to that of  FIG. 6D , but illustrating a system utilizing the spring member shown in.  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
         [0020]    With attention to  FIG. 2 , a target system  10  according to the present invention may be seen. As shown, the system  10  preferably includes a first support post  12 , a second support post  14 , a target member  16 , and a target support element  18 . As viewed in  FIG. 3A , the target support element  18  includes an attachment structure  20 , such as the side buckle shown, for releasable attachment to a corresponding mating attachment structure  20 A on the target member  16 . Although a side buckle is shown, it is to be understood that other releasable or non-releasable attachment structures may be used without departing from the invention. The target support element  18  further preferably includes at least one rolling support member  22 , seen as a pair of grooved wheels  22 A in these views. A rolling support member  22  for use with the present invention is preferably adapted to engage and be supported on an elongated member  24 . As shown, the elongate member  24  includes two elongate member portions  24 A,  24 B and is preferably fabricated from wire, cable, cord or other suitably strong and flexible material which is supportable between the first and second support posts  12 ,  14 , as will be discussed. 
         [0021]    With particular attention to the views of  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a target support element  18  for use with the present invention may further include a shield member  26  to protect the rolling support member  22  from damage. The target support element  18  may also include laterally opposed bumper members  28  to reduce concussive force with the support posts  12 ,  14  during use. The target member  16  may be of any traditional configuration, such as the circular target shown, or any other configuration that is supportable on the target support element  18  and desirable by a user (not shown) of the system  10 . 
         [0022]    With reference now to  FIGS. 4A-4D , a first support post  12  may be seen. As shown, the support post  12  includes an upright member  30 , a base member  32 , a pulley system having a plurality of pulley members  34 , and a slidable collar member  36 . The base member  32  may be secured by way of weights  38 , or other suitable means to temporarily anchor the support post  12  during use. While weights  33  are shown, it is to be understood that other devices such as stakes, screws or the like, capable of anchoring the base member  32  during use, may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. A pulley system having a plurality of pulley members  34  is arranged to receive an elongate member  24 , such as the wire shown. As may be seen, particularly in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a first elongate member portion  24 A is arranged around the pulley members  34  and is attached to the collar member  36  at attachment structure  44  by way of the eye hook  56  shown, or other suitable means. Sliding movement of the collar member  36  along the upright member  30  occurs when an end  42  (see  FIG. 6A ) of the elongate member first portion  24 A is pulled in the direction of arrow A. As the end  42  is pulled in the direction of arrow A, elongate member first portion  24 A rides along the pulleys  34  and lifts the attached collar member  36  in the direction of arrow D. 
         [0023]    With specific reference now to  FIG. 4B , a contrary action of elongate member portion  24 A may be seen. As shown, the end  42  of elongate member portion  24 A may be released and moved in the direction of arrow B. Movement in the direction of arrow B lowers the collar member  36  in the direction of arrow C. Longitudinal movement of the collar member  36  along the upright member  30  in the direction of arrows C, and D translates into movement of the second elongate member portion  24 B. Movement of the collar member  36  in either arrow direction C, D is restricted by limit bands  48 . Placement of the limit bands  48  on the upright member  30  defines maximum upper and lower travel of the collar member  36 . The, limit bands  48  may be adjusted along the upright member  30  to vary the longitudinal travel distance of the collar member  36  and thereby adjust movement of the target member  16 . The effect of the relative movement of the elongate member portion  24 B and the collar member  36  on the target member  16  will be discussed with reference to the views of  FIGS. 6A-6D . 
         [0024]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a second target support post  14 . Similar to the first support post  12 , the second support post  14  includes an upright member  30 , a base member  32 , and at least one pulley  34 . AS with the first support post  12 , the base member  32  of the second support post  14  may be secured by way of weights  38 , or other suitable means to temporarily secure the base member  32  during use. As seen, an end  42 A of elongate member portion  24 B is supported by a pulley member  34  and is further attached to a counterweight  46  by known means, such as the hook  58  shown. The counterweight  46  provides proper balance and tension on the elongate member  24  during use. Moreover, the counterweight  46  keeps the elongate member portion  24 B taut with an even tension while providing enough slack to permit the operator  40  to motivate the target member  16  while manipulating the collar member  36  during use. As is shown in  FIG. 5B , the support post  14  may further include a protective element, such as the shield  50  shown, to protect the pulley  34  from impact during use. Moreover, each upright  30  may preferably include a target bumper  52  which may be variably positioned to align with the trajectory of target member  16 . The views of  FIGS. 6A and 6C  illustrate use of the target bumper  52  to cushion the target member  16  as it reaches each post  12 ,  14  during use. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 6A-6D  particularly illustrate longitudinal movement of the collar member  36  on the upright  30 , along with the concomitant movement of the elongate member  24  and target member  16 . As is shown, an operator  40  engages an end  42  of elongate member portion  24 A and moves it in the direction of arrow A. The collar member  36  rides along the upright member  30  in the direction of arrow D. As the collar member  36  elevates in the direction of arrow D, the attached elongate member portion  24 B also rises and the target support  18  and attached target member  16  move along rolling support  22  in the direction of arrow E. 
         [0026]    With attention to  FIG. 6D , movement of the target member  16  in another direction is seen as the operator  40  releases tension on the elongate member portion  24 A in the direction of arrow F. As is illustrated, the collar member  36  moves in the direction of arrow G, and the target support  18  and attached target member  16  move in the direction of arrow H. The operator  40  may vary the duration of tension in arrow directions A, F and also vary the distance the collar member  36  travels in arrow directions D, G to thereby add unexpected deviation in target member  16  position as may be desired by the practicing target user (not shown). In this manner, the tensioning and re-tensioning of the elongate member portion  24 A by the operator  40  causes the collar member  36  and attached elongate member portion  24 B to move as described, and be manipulated in a non-linear and unpredictable manner. The unpredictable and non-linear movement of the target member  16  challenges the user (not shown) to improve shooting accuracy. 
         [0027]    In an alternative embodiment and as seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a spring member  54  may be utilized in place of the previously described counterweight  46 . As illustrated, the spring member  54  functions in a manner similar to that of the counterweight  46 , with the second end  42 A of the elongate member portion  24 B being attached to the spring member  54 . The spring member  54  may be further supported on the upright  30  by way of known means, such as the eye hook  56  shown. A preferred spring member  54  tension will provide sufficient force on the elongate member portion  24 B to keep the elongate member portion  24 B taut during use while providing enough slack to permit the operator  40  to motivate the target member  16  while manipulating the collar member  36 . Moreover, the spring member  54  will maintain an even tension while the operator  40  manipulates the elongate member portion  24 A, and collar member  36  during use. 
         [0028]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.