Patent Publication Number: US-2011074110-A1

Title: Gravity reset target

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to provisional patent application having Ser. No. 61/247,475, filed Sep. 30, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Numerous target systems are commercially available for utilization during target practice. However, most existing target systems require tools for assembly, include parts that wear or break and need to be replaced, are difficult to move and transport, and are not easily interchangeable for use with different calibers of guns at different target distances. Accordingly, there is a need for a target system having strong and simple components that can be easily assembled, disassembled, and exchanged by hand and that can be easily moved and transported. 
     The target system of the present invention improves on existing automatic reset target systems of comparable size, function, and implementation in a number of ways. First, the target system of the present invention is a gravity reset target which pivots at the bottom rather than at the top thereby providing a more natural visual feedback motion. Second, the target incorporated in the target system of the present invention resets solely by the use of gravity and requires no springs which can weaken, break, and need to be replaced. Third, the target system of the present invention can be quickly assembled and disassembled by hand without requiring the use of tools for the quick changing of target shapes and weights, and for ease of transportation. Fourth, the design of the target system of the present invention incorporates a built in handle which makes it easy to carry and transport. Fifth, the target system of the present invention incorporates a target plate that can be quickly and easily changed to enable the target system to be used with different calibers of high powered rifles or hand guns at different target distances. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a gravity reset target system that includes a base plate assembly and a target plate assembly. The base plate assembly includes a base plate removably secured to the top of a shrapnel guard plate, two aligning rails secured parallel and apart from one another to the top of the base plate, and two guide plates each having a groove cut therein wherein each of the guide plates extend vertically upward from, and are secured to, the top of the base plate at a location inside the parallel aligning rails. The target plate assembly includes a target plate removably secured to a carrier piece having two parallel side panels and a guide rod which is positioned between, and rigidly secured to, each of the two parallel side panels and wherein the guide rod is removably inserted into the grooves cut into each of the guide plates in the base plate assembly. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the target plate assembly of the gravity reset target system of the present invention further includes a backing plate removably secured to the carrier piece such that the carrier piece is positioned between the target plate and the backing plate. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the parallel side panels of the carrier piece of the target plate assembly each comprise at least one rounded edge for rocking against the base plate of the base plate assembly. In one exemplary configuration, the parallel side panels of the carrier piece each comprise the shape of a piece of pie where the rounded edge of the pie piece rocks against the base plate of the base plate assembly. In another exemplary configuration, the carrier piece of the target plate assembly further comprises a front panel rigidly secured to the parallel side panels where the front panel is shorter in height than the parallel side panels. In addition, in one aspect of the invention, the parallel side panels and the front panel of the carrier piece may all be formed from one piece of metal that is bent or shaped to form a front panel and two parallel side panels. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, the grooves cut into each of the guide plates of the base plate assembly each comprise an arrow shape pointing downward toward the base plate. The gravity reset target system of the present invention is created by placing the guide rod of the carrier piece of the target plate assembly within the grooves cut into each of the guide plates of the base plate assembly thereby allowing the carrier piece of the target plate assembly to rock against the base plate of the base plate assembly when a projectile hits the front of the target plate of the target plate assembly. The guide rod in the carrier piece of the target plate assembly is positioned at a first position within the downward pointing arrow shaped grooves in each of the guide plates when the target plate is in a resting position. This first position is at the top of a side of the downward pointing arrow shaped grooves located closest to the target plate. The guide rod in the carrier piece of the target plate assembly is positioned at a second position within the downward pointing arrow shaped grooves in each of the guide plates when the target plate is in a mid-stroke position after being hit with a projectile. This second position is at the tip or point of the downward pointing arrow shaped grooves. The guide rod in the carrier piece of the target plate assembly is positioned at a third position within the downward pointing arrow shaped grooves in each of the guide plates when the target plate is in a full-stroke or end position after being hit with a projectile. This third position is at a top of a side of the downward pointing arrow shaped grooves located opposite the first position. After the guide rod moves to the third position (i.e. after the target plate is hit backwards with a projectile as far as it will go), the carrier piece of the target assembly automatically rocks forward against the base plate, and the guide rod of the carrier piece returns to the first position within the downward pointing arrow shaped grooves, thereby returning the target plate of the target plate assembly to its first resting position. 
     In still another exemplary embodiment, the carrier piece of the target plate assembly further comprises at least one stiffening rod positioned between, and rigidly secured to, each of the parallel side panels of the carrier piece. The stiffening rods give stability and rigidity to the parallel side panels of the carrier piece. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the base plate of the base plate assembly includes a handle opening located near an end of the base plate for carrying or transporting the base plate assembly. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the base plate of the base plate assembly further includes a plurality of anchor spike openings and the gravity reset target system of the present invention further includes a plurality of anchor spikes which are inserted through the plurality of anchor spike openings in the base plate to secure the gravity reset target system in place. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the target plate and the carrier piece of the target plate assembly may be removably secured to one another via a target plate bolt and nut where the bolt is inserted through at least one opening in the target plate and in turn through at least one opening in the front panel of the carrier piece. In another aspect of the invention, the base plate and the shrapnel guard plate of the base plate assembly may be removably secured to one another with a shrapnel guard bolt that is inserted through an opening in the base plate and in turn through an opening in the top of the shrapnel guard plate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the base plate assembly of the gravity reset target system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the base plate assembly of the gravity reset target system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  along with a top plan view of the base plate; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the target plate assembly of the gravity reset target system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the target plate assembly of the gravity reset target system of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3  along with side, end, and isometric views of the carrier piece; 
         FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of the gravity reset target system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the gravity reset target system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the gravity reset target system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of the gravity reset target system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the gravity reset target system of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a series of side cross-sectional views of the gravity reset target system of the present invention shown in three different positions during its operation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The gravity reset target system of the present invention generally provides a gravity reset target system that has strong and simple components that can be easily assembled, disassembled, and exchanged by hand, and that can be easily moved and transported. The gravity reset target system of the present invention includes a target or target plate that rocks backward to a generally horizontal position when struck with a projectile. The gravity reset target system of the present invention generally includes a base plate assembly and a target plate assembly which are easily and quickly removably engaged with one another to form the gravity reset target system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of a base plate assembly  10  of the gravity reset target system of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the base plate assembly  10  shown in  FIG. 1  along with a top plan view of the base plate. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , base plate assembly  10  includes a base plate  12  that is removably secured to a shrapnel guard plate  14 . In this exemplary embodiment, the base plate  12  is removably secured to the shrapnel guard plate  14  with a shrapnel guard bolt  16  that is inserted through openings  13  in the base plate  12  and in turn through openings  15  in the top of shrapnel guard plate  14 . The base plate assembly  10  further includes two aligning rails  18  which are secured parallel and apart from one another to the top of the base plate  12  (See  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) and two guide plates  20  each having a groove  22  cut therein where each guide plate  20  extends vertically upward from, and is secured to, the top of the base plate  12  at a location just inside the two aligning rails  18  such that the guide plates  20  are also in parallel alignment with one another (See  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). Further, in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , base plate  12  includes two parallel slots  24  cut therethrough for receiving the two guide plates  20 . Guide plates  20  are inserted within half of the thickness of the base plate  12  and welded from the bottom with a very hot arc. This results in an extremely strong and seam-free joint which also leaves the appearance of a clean weld-free finish on the top of the base plate  12 . 
     A side elevational view of an exemplary target plate assembly  30  of the gravity reset target system of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the target plate assembly  30  shown in  FIG. 3  along with a side view, end view, and isometric view of the carrier piece  34  of the target plate assembly  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , target plate assembly  30  includes a target plate  32  and a carrier piece  34  which are removably secured to one another with target plate bolt  36  and target plate nut  38 . Further, in the exemplary embodiment of the target plate assembly  30  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the target plate assembly  30  also includes a backing plate  40  removably secured to the carrier piece  34  so that the carrier piece  34  is positioned between the target plate  30  and the backing plate  40 . 
       FIG. 4  also shows a side view, an end view, and an isometric view of one exemplary embodiment of the carrier piece  34 . In the exemplary embodiment of the carrier piece  34  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , carrier piece  34  includes two parallel side panels  42  and a guide rod  44  which is positioned between, and rigidly secured to, each of the two parallel side panels  42  (also See  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). The guide rod  44  is securely and permanently welded to the parallel side panels  42  of the carrier piece  34 . The two parallel side panels  42  of the carrier piece  34  each have a rounded edge  45  for rocking against the base plate  12  when the target plate  32  is hit with a projectile. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , parallel side panels  42  comprise a shape similar to a piece of a pie where the rounded edge  45  of each pie piece shape is capable of rocking against the base plate  12  when the target plate  32  is hit with a projectile. In addition, parallel side panels  42  of carrier piece  34  may include a notch  47  that aids in ensuring that target plate  32  returns to a vertical position in relation to base plate  12  such that it does not rock forward and away from base plate  12 . Carrier piece  34  also includes two stiffening rods  46  which, like the guide rod  44 , are also positioned between, and rigidly secured to, each of the two parallel side panels  42 , and a front panel  48  rigidly secured to the parallel side panels where the front panel  48  is shorter in height than the parallel side panels  42 . In addition, the front panel  48  and the two parallel side panels  42  may be comprised of one piece of strong metal that is shaped or formed into a configuration which has a front panel and two parallel side panels. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the base plate assembly  10  and the target plate assembly  30  are shown removably engaged with one another to create the gravity reset target system  50  of the present invention.  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of the gravity reset target system  50  of the present invention. The target plate assembly  30  and the base plate assembly  10  are removably engaged with one another by inserting the guide rod  44  of the carrier piece  34  of the target plate assembly  30  into the grooves  22  of both of the two guide plates  20  of the base plate assembly  10 . In the exemplary embodiment of the guide plates  20  shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 ,  7  and  10 , the grooves  22  cut into the guide plates  20  comprise the shape of a downward pointing arrow. As shown in  FIG. 5 , when the target plate  32  is in a resting position prior to being hit with a projectile, the guide rod  44  is positioned within a first position in the downward pointing arrow shaped grooves  22  which are located at a top of the side of the downward pointing arrow shaped grooves  22  located closest to the target plate  32 . 
       FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the gravity reset target system  50  of the present invention.  FIG. 6  shows target plate  32  which is removably secured to the carrier piece (not shown) via target plate bolts  36 . In the exemplary embodiment of the gravity reset target system shown in  FIG. 6 , target plate  32  has two openings therethrough positioned near a bottom of the target plate  32  and the front panel  48  of the carrier piece  34  has two openings therethrough (See isometric view in  FIG. 4 ) and the backing plate  40  has two openings therethrough (not shown). The two openings in the target plate  32  are aligned with the two openings in the front panel  48  of the carrier piece  34  (See isometric view in  FIG. 4 ) which are in turn aligned with the two openings in the backing plate  40  before the target plate  32  is secured to the carrier piece  34  which is in turn secured to the backing plate  40 . While the target plate assembly  30  can be taken apart, it is not intended to be regularly disassembled. In one exemplary embodiment, the target plate assembly is assembled with both physical and chemical thread lockers that require significant heat and force to remove the nuts from the bolts. The strong and secure assembly of the components of the target plate assembly  30  ensure that the target plate assembly is kept together when the forces resulting from high caliber rifle strikes hit the target plate  32 . If a user desires to change the target plate with a target having a different shape and/or weight, the target is easily replaced by removing the guide rods  44  of the carrier piece  34  of the target plate assembly from the grooves  22  of the guide plates  20  of the base plate assembly, and replacing the entire target plate assembly with a different target plate assembly which includes a target plate having a different shape and/or weight. The new target plate assembly is then removably engaged with the base plate assembly just as the prior target plate assembly was removably engaged with the base plate assembly. 
       FIG. 6  also shows the base plate  12  and the shrapnel guard plate  14  of the base plate assembly. Once the base plate assembly  10  is assembled (See  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), the only removable components of the base plate assembly  10  are the shrapnel guard plate  14  and the base plate  12 . The shrapnel guard plate  14  is removed from the base plate  12  by removing two small shrapnel guard bolts  16  (See  FIG. 8 ). The shrapnel guard plate  14  is intended to be replaced over time. 
     A side elevational view of the gravity reset target system  50  of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 7 . This figure differs from that shown in  FIG. 5  in that  FIG. 7  shows a side elevational view of the outside of the gravity reset target system  50  while  FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional side view which shows an internal side view of the gravity reset target system  50  of the present invention. Like  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 7  shows target plate  32  in a first resting position prior to being hit with a projectile. As previously mentioned with reference to  FIG. 1 , two aligning rails  18  are secured parallel and apart from one another to the top of the base plate  12 . One preferred way to secure the aligning rails  18  is to weld them directly to the base plate  12 . The purpose of the aligning rails  18  is to prevent the target plate assembly  30  from twisting on the base plate  12  when areas of the target plate  32  other than the direct center of the target plate  32  are hit with a projectile. Furthermore, during use of the gravity reset target system  50  of the present invention, dirt and debris tend to splash up onto the base plate  12  which could in turn cause the target plate assembly to move askew during operation. The aligning rails  18  assist in preventing that from happening. In addition, in one exemplary embodiment, the aligning rails  18  comprise a round rod (See  FIG. 8 ) which allows a relief area for any dirt or debris that is splashed onto the base plate  12  so that the dirt and/or debris does not jam up or lock up the rocking action of the target plate  32  that is secured to the carrier piece  34 . 
       FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of the gravity reset target system  50  of the present invention which clearly shows the guide rod  44  and the stiffening rods  46  of an exemplary embodiment of the carrier piece  34 . The guide rod  44  of the carrier piece  34  is inserted into the grooves of each of the two guide plates  20  of the base plate assembly  10  thereby removably engaging the target plate assembly  30  with the base plate assembly  10 . 
     A top plan view of the gravity reset target system  50  of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , one exemplary embodiment of the base plate  12  may also include a handle opening  60  for carrying or transporting the base plate assembly  10 . Base plate  12  may further include a plurality of anchor spike openings  62  and the gravity reset target system  50  of the present invention may also include a plurality of anchor spikes  64  which can be inserted through the plurality of anchor spike openings  62  in the base plate  12  to anchor or secure the gravity reset target system  50  in place during use 
       FIG. 10  is a series of side cross-sectional views of the gravity reset target system  50  of the present invention shown in three different positions during its operation. In position A, gravity reset target system  50  of the present invention is in a first resting position prior to the target plate  32  being hit with a projectile. The guide rod  44  of the carrier piece  34  which is inserted into the downward arrow shaped grooves  22  of the guide plates  20  is also in a first position within grooves  22 . The first position of guide rod  44  within downward arrow shaped grooves  22  is at a top of the side of the downward pointing arrow shaped grooves  22  that is located closest to the target plate  32 . In position B, gravity reset target system  50  of the present invention is in a second position where target plate  32  has been hit with a projectile and target plate  32  and carrier piece  34  are in a mid-stroke position of being rocked back against base plate  12  of base plate assembly  10 . The guide rod  44  of the carrier piece  34  which is inserted into the downward arrow shaped grooves  22  of the guide plates  20  is also in a second position within grooves  22 . The second position of guide rod  44  within downward arrow shaped grooves  22  is at a tip or point of the downward pointing arrow shaped grooves  22 . In position C, gravity reset target system  50  of the present invention is in a third position where target plate  32  has been hit with a projectile and target plate  32  and carrier piece  34  are in a full-stroke or end stroke position of being rocked back against base plate  12  of base plate assembly  10  until target plate  32  is in an almost horizontal position. The guide rod  44  of the carrier piece  34  which is inserted into the downward arrow shaped grooves  22  of the guide plates  20  is also in a third position within grooves  22 . The third position of guide rod  44  within downward arrow shaped grooves  22  is at a top of the side of the downward pointing arrow shaped grooves  22  located opposite the first position of the guide rod  44 . 
     As previously described above, the guide rod  44  is strongly and permanently secured to the parallel side panels  42  of the carrier piece  34  so that the guide rod does not move or become dislodged within the carrier after being slammed against the stops in the guide plates  20  and provides to limit the travel of the target plate assembly  30  after the target plate  32  is hit with a projectile. The guide rod  44  supplies rigidity to the parallel side panels  42  of the carrier piece  34  and works in conjunction with the guide plates  20  to limit the travel of the target plate assembly  30  to its travel limits. In addition, due to the angle of the grooves (i.e. the downward arrow shaped grooves  22  in one exemplary embodiment) in the guide plates  20 , the guide rod  44  and guide plates  20  prevent the target plate assembly  30  from sliding or being pushed rearward on the base plate assembly  10  when the target plate  32  is struck by a projectile. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that other configurations of grooves may be cut into the guide plates  20  that would be capable of enabling the same travel limiting functions when the guide rod  44  is engaged with the grooves in the guide plates  20 . In addition, the weight, size, shape, and/or position of the target plate  32  may be changed in alternative target plate assemblies that can be removably exchanged with one another within the base plate assembly. For example, the position of target plate  32  may be adjusted in order to change the force required to knock back or rock back target plate  32 . This could be achieved by positioning target plate  32  vertically higher on carrier piece  34  which would result in less force being required to knock back target plate  32  toward base plate  12 . 
     The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention herein shows various exemplary embodiments and the best modes, known to the inventor at this time, of the invention. These exemplary embodiments and modes are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following disclosure is intended to teach both the implementation of the exemplary embodiments and modes and any equivalent modes or embodiments that are known or obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art. Additionally, all included figures are non-limiting illustrations of the exemplary embodiments and modes, which similarly avail themselves to any equivalent modes or embodiments that are known or obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art. 
     Other combinations and/or modifications of structures; arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the instant invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, can be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operating requirements without departing from the scope of the instant invention and are intended to be included in this disclosure. 
     Unless specifically noted, it is the Applicant&#39;s intent that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given the commonly accepted generic meaning or an ordinary and accustomed meaning used by those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. In the instance where these meanings differ, the words and phrases in the specification and the claims should be given the broadest possible, generic meaning. If any other special meaning is intended for any word or phrase, the specification will clearly state and define the special meaning.