Patent Publication Number: US-2004046321-A1

Title: Less lethal ammunition target

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] This invention relates to a target device for firearms practice for law enforcement and military personal in the deployment of the specialized less lethal ammunition currently being deployed by said agencies.  
       [0003] 2. Background of the Invention  
       [0004] The United States nonlethal-weapons program is expanding like never before in its history. The Pentagon is spending more research and development dollars on weapons that stun scare or nauseate—anything but kill  
       [0005] The impact of such weapons must be sufficient to produce pain and induce compliance from uncooperative and aggressive individuals.  
       [0006] Currently the most widely used less lethal options are the “bean bag” round, being deployed from a 12 gauge pump shotgun firing lead shot filled cloth projectiles and the 37/40-mm rifled delivery system firing a spin-stabilized plastic/foam round. This type of projectile due to its size and speed is designed to slap or slug its target not penetrate. In addition to the aforementioned types of ammunition there are “wooden baton” dowels, rubber pellet rounds, and fin-stabilized rubber bullets and the Taser system, an electrical shocking device that delivers two small darts into its target sending a muscle-locking jolt of electricity to an individual. These options and more are being deployed in the field and on the firing ranges of both the military and law enforcement agencies.  
       [0007] Although this type of training has existed for many years the targets currently being used has significant drawbacks. Paper and cardboard targets designed for lethal ammunition tear and fall apart upon impact of these larger projectiles making it necessary to replace this type of target frequently. Targets made of more ridged materials will often compromise the ammunition by tearing open the cloth bag on impact or worst yet, ricochet the harder more dense type of projectiles dangerously back at the shooter.  
       [0008] Realistic targets, which look like an actual human being, are a critical aid in training and gives an officer or soldier a physiological advantage over those using a paper or cardboard image. In addition to the realistic human shape, highlighted “No-shoot” zones are crucial for training as an improperly placed projectile can quickly turn a less lethal round into a lethal round.  
       [0009] Countless time and money has been spent in the development of such munitions yet very little has been focused on a specific target for this application.  
       Description of Prior Art  
       [0010] Shooting targets in various forms have been used as training aids for many years. These targets can be as simple as the conventional “bulls-eye” design to a more sophisticated three-dimensional type with movable arms and legs. They can be constructed from paper to cardboard, wood or steel. Targets have been made of plastics, clay, rubber and various elements. Some targets have even been designed to add a means for marking selected areas with infrared radiation (U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,132). While other designs have used inflated balloons to indicate a lethal shoot making contact to a vital area (U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,741).  
       [0011] Others target designs capable of measuring projectile penetration, speed, shock or pressure waves have been used with great success (U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,728). The movable three-dimensional type targets have been used in training soldiers how to react to a surprise attack by positioning the legs and arms in various positions (U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,767) and targets with timers to judge the speed of an officer&#39;s reaction times (U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,232). Targets as simple as animal shapes made from steel have been used in all manner of target practice (U.S. Pat. No. 1,103,579).  
       [0012] Each of these approaches to target design has its purpose and has proven to be beneficial to the end user, yet each of these designs have shown to be inadequate in the deployment of the current less lethal ammunition. Some designs work well with lethal ammunition but fall short when fired upon with a less lethal round. The abuse delivered from these types of munitions quickly show the shortcomings of the current target designs.  
       Summery of the Invention  
       [0013] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a target durable enough to withstand repeated impact from various types of less lethal ammunition. A portable, highly durable, re-useable lifelike target that will flex and react like a human being shot are this type of projectile.  
       [0014] Another object of this invention is to provide a training target that is life-like in appearance and dimension with highlighted “primary shot” and clearly defined “No-shoot” zones to help better prepare and officer or soldier for an encounter in the field. This will also help in the event an agency is asked to explain the training requirements and standards in a court of law.  
       [0015] Another object of this invention is to provide a superior maintenance free target that will withstand impact from every less lethal projectile option being offered to the military and law enforcement communities.  
       [0016] It is also the intention of this invention to produce a target affordable for every police department and military base currently requiring this type of training. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0017]FIG. 1 is a front view of the invention.  
     [0018]FIG. 2 is a back view of the invention.  
     [0019]FIG. 3 is a cross section of the material being used.  
     [0020]FIG. 4 is view of the hardware for hanging and anchoring said invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
     [0021]FIG. 1 is a front view of the target showing the human shape of the target.  200 , shows the highlighted No Shoot Zones, and Primary Shot Zone  210 .  300 - 340  illustrates where the hardware for hanging and anchoring said target.  
     [0022]FIG. 2 shows the placement of said hardware from a view of the back of said target  300 - 340 .  
     [0023]FIG. 3 illustrate the sequence of the hardware as it relates to the belting material,  300 . A carriage bolt,  310 , passing through the steel washer,  320 , and belting material,  300 , through another steel washer,  320 , passing through the steel shank,  330 , and secured with a lock nut,  340 .  
     [0024]FIG. 4 is a cross section of the belting material,  300 , showing the two layers of nylon reinforcement,  410 , running through the belting material.  
     [0025] While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, because various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changed in the Those can make form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation skilled in this type of training without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various application without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.