Patent Publication Number: US-7712743-B1

Title: Three-dimensional reactionary turkey target

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable 
   FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
   Not Applicable 
   SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   This invention relates to turkey targets, specifically to such targets used for shooting practice, patterning a shotgun, or determining accuracy with a shotgun. 
   2. Prior Art 
   The present invention is directed to the field of targets. More particularly, this invention concerns a three-dimensional shotgun target having a turkey-shaped body that functions as a target stand, and a replaceable, frangible head and neck target that simulates a turkey&#39;s vital region. The shotgun target provides a practice experience more closely related to actual shotgun hunting of wild turkeys. Regardless of the shooter&#39;s firing position relative to the target, an indication of the accuracy, penetration, and likely damage of the shot is readily observable. 
   Turkey hunters commonly pattern their shotguns prior to hunting season. They do this on paper. This allows them to see how the shot pattern disperses when the gun and game load are fired from several distances. 
   Originally patterning was accomplished with nothing more than blank paper, traditional “bulls-eye” targets or advancements on these simple concepts to clearly indicate point of impact, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,470 to Miller (2001), U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,890 to Wolf, et al (1994), U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,415 to Mujic (1995), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,467 to Kandel (1996). However, without a likeness of the game animal on the paper, it was impossible to “practice like you hunt.” U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,526 to Mastandrea (1998) put the images of game animals on paper, making this a standard patterning tool for the modern shotgun hunter. 
   Paper targets imprinted with a turkey head are a popular patterning tool. Though they indicate the shotgun&#39;s pattern and accuracy, and are inexpensive to manufacture, nevertheless they must be replaced after every shot and, without a three-dimensional body, they do not present a life-like target for shooting practice. These targets, being composed of paper and thus lacking a reactionary element, also offer little gratification from a well-placed shot. 
   Archery hunters pioneered the use of three-dimensional game targets. These targets are life-sized, realistic reproductions of typical game animals, including deer, turkey, and bear. They typically have a shell body and a vital organ cavity placed therein. The vital organ cavity generally consists of foam or layered foam. Some have realistic indicia of the animal&#39;s vital organs. Examples of such archery targets are found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,403 to Morrell (1996), U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,100 to Reinhart (2001), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,469 to Love (2003). 
   While conventional three-dimensional targets are useful to archery hunters, turkey hunters who pursue their game with a shotgun gain no benefit. This is because archery hunters aim for the body of a turkey. Shotgun hunters aim for a turkey&#39;s head and neck, preferably when this vital area is extended away from the body. 
   Trap and skeet shooters are familiar with the pleasure that comes from accurate shooting. They fire at moving targets, traditionally called clay pigeons. These targets are manually thrown or launched from special machines. The clay pigeons fly across the shooter&#39;s field of fire. An accurate shot causes the clay pigeon to break or shatter in mid-flight. 
   Inventors have created several types of clay pigeons, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,150 to Moehlman, et al (1986), U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,759 to Gladders, et al (2004), U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,550 to Kobayashi, et al (1976), U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,150 to Stevenson (1989), U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,087 to Schreiner-Hansen (1986), U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,581 to Goodson (1992) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,707 to Brander, et al (1997). While these clay pigeons are frangible targets, nevertheless all the clay pigeons heretofore known suffer from a number a disadvantages for turkey hunters: 
   a) Their manufacture is saucer-shaped, which does not accurately represent the typical head and neck target for the turkey hunter. 
   b) Their saucer shape represents a traditional target for wing shooting, which is the art or practice of shooting at game birds in flight or at flying targets. Turkeys are typically shot on the ground and in a stationary or near-stationary position. 
   c) Clay pigeons are often painted fluorescent orange or other similar bright colors. This makes them more noticeable while in flight. These bright colors are not accurate representations of real turkeys. 
   OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
   a) to provide a reactionary turkey target shaped like the head and neck of a turkey. 
   b) to provide a reactionary head and neck turkey target whose measurements and dimensions accurately represent a turkey; 
   d) to provide a head and neck target that, upon being shot at various distances, will break into multiple pieces; and 
   e) to provide a head and neck target designed to be attached to a stand, which will be a representation of a turkey body. 
   Further objects and advantages are to provide a three-dimensional reactionary head and neck target that is accurate in size, shape, and detail to turkeys, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, which can be easily attached and removed from the stand, and which, upon being shot, provides immediate verification of the accuracy and patterning of a shotgun. 
   SUMMARY 
   In accordance with the present invention a reactionary turkey target comprises a three-dimensional figure having the distinct appearance of the head and neck of a turkey. The target shall easily attach to and detach from the stand, which shall simulate the shape and appearance of a turkey. 

   
     DRAWINGS 
     Figures 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a three-dimensional shotgun target simulating a turkey according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the head and neck target of  FIG. 1  as viewed from one side of the target. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the head and neck target of  FIG. 1  as viewed from the opposite perspective of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the head and neck target with a connection dowel built into the head and neck target. This dowel attaches the target to the stand, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views of the stand, as seen from the side and above. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the post that supports the stand and target. 
       FIG. 8  is a partial top view of the stand and shows the three-dimensional aspect of its design. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the target stand, shaped to simulate a turkey body, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DRAWINGS 
   Reference Numerals 
   
       
         10  three-dimensional reactionary turkey target 
         12  target stand 
         14  support post 
         16   a  pre-drilled hole for target 
         16   b  pre-drilled support post hole 
         16   c  pre-drilled hole for target 
         16   d  pre-drilled hole for target 
         16   e  pre-drilled support post hole 
         16   f  pre-drilled hole for target 
         18  head and neck target 
         20  connecting dowel 
         22  alternative embodiment of target stand 
         24  pre-drilled hole for target 
         26  pre-drilled support post hole 
     
  
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 to 8 , a three-dimensional reactionary turkey target is generally designated by the reference number  10 . The target  10  has a stand  12  that resembles that physical shape of a turkey. The stand  12  is constructed of polystyrene and is circular in shape. Preferably the width and density of the polystyrene used to construct the stand  12  is sufficient to absorb multiple impacts by pellets fired from a shotgun and to allow for multiple holes  16   a - f  to be drilled into the stand  12 . The stand  12  is supported in an upright position by a single support post  14  that can be anchored into the ground in a conventional manner. 
   The stand  12  has two holes  16   b  and  16   e  drilled to facilitate the support post  14 . Holes  16   a ,  16   c ,  16   d , and  16   f  are drilled to provide for multiple placements of the head and neck target  18 . The head and neck target  18  is connected to the stand  12  by means of a connecting dowel  20 , which fits into holes  16   a ,  16   c ,  16   d , and  16   f.    
   A removable head and neck target  18  is composed of Plaster of Paris or other sturdy yet reactionary material, formed into a three-dimensional shape with the life-like appearance of a turkey. 
   The circular shape of the stand  12 , the location of the pre-drilled holes  16   a ,  16   c ,  16   d , and  16   f , and the placement of holes  16   b  and  16   e  for support post  14  facilitate the simple and economical movement of the head and neck target  18  from left to right, top to bottom, or vice versa. Further, if the stand  12  is substantially damaged by shot it can easily be rotated to extend the life of said stand  12  while allowing for the head and neck target  18  to be attached to the stand  12  in undamaged locations. 
   To assemble the three-dimensional reactionary turkey target  10  the user inserts the support post  14  into the ground or other stationary object. 
   While practicing with the three-dimensional reactionary turkey target  10 , the shooter can take any position relative to the target. The hunter can shoot from above, below, in front of, or behind the target, as well as from the usual broadside position. A successful hit will cause the reactionary head and neck target  18  to disintegrate, shatter, or break into large chunks. 
   Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 9 , wherein the target stand  22  is shaped to more accurately represent the body of a male turkey. The tail fan, lowered wings, broad chest, beard, and rounded body are typical to the anatomy of a strutting male turkey. As with the preferred embodiment target stand  12 , a hole  24  is provided in the target stand  22 , by which means the head and neck target  18  connects to the target stand  22 . Further, the target stand  22  shall have a hole  26  for the support post  14 , which shall provide the means of support to hold the head and neck target  18  and the target stand  22  in an upright position. 
   Accordingly, the reader will see that the three-dimensional reactionary turkey target of this invention can be used to confirm the effectiveness of a turkey gun&#39;s shooting pattern, assess a shooter&#39;s accuracy, determine the efficacy of ammunition, and practice with a life-like target. Furthermore, the preferred embodiment of the target stand has the additional advantages in that
         a circular shape offers a reasonable facsimile of a strutting turkey;   polystyrene is inexpensive to manufacture into circular shapes;   polystyrene has the durability to withstand multiple indirect hits from shotgun pellets; and   the circular shape allows the target stand to be rotated in the event said target stand is damaged by a misplaced shot.       

   In the drawings and specifications there has been set forth a preferred embodiment invention, and although specific terms are employed, those are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and are not for purposes of limitation. For example, the stand may have various shapes, such as the full three-dimensional form of a turkey body, oval, square, etc.; the stand may consist of various substances such as cloth, burlap, minicell, high-density foam, etc.; the head and neck target may be two-dimensional, hollowed-out, etc.; the head and neck target may be composed of Plaster of Paris, clay and pitch, biodegradable materials, etc.; the head and neck target may connect to the stand in ways other than described or be built as part of the general target structure, etc.; the support post may be molded into the stand itself or take on a different form than described, etc. 
   Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. Changes in the form, preparation, 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: