Patent Publication Number: US-7222860-B2

Title: Archery target

Description:
This application claims priority on U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/634,938, filed Dec. 10, 2004, entitled “ARCHERY TARGET.” 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention of this application relates to targets, and more particularly, to an improved archery target. 
   INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
   The invention of this application relates to targets that can be used in archery. Meyer U.S. Pat. No. 3,088,738 discloses an archery target and is hereby incorporated by reference for showing the same. Croll U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,126,501 and 4,244,585 disclose an archery target that includes a plurality of layers formed by winding a strip of material about a central axis and the method of making the same and is also incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. Meyer U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,246 discloses an archery target that utilizes multiple plies of penetrable, elastomeric or resilient, tear resistant sheet resin material and is also incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. Batts, III U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,244 discloses an archery target that also includes a plurality of layers wherein the layers are vertical layers and the end supports extend beyond the vertical layers to produce legs to support the target and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. Mann U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,977 discloses an archery target with horizontal layers and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. Pulkrabek U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,440 discloses an archery target that includes horizontal layers and end supports shorter than the layers and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. Ingold U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,764 also discloses an archery target that includes horizontal layers, however, Ingold discloses end supports that are even with the horizontal layers and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   As is known, a wide variety of materials can be used as an archery target. However, the chosen material must allow the arrow to enter the target but not fully penetrate the target. Essentially, the target must stop the arrow without damaging the arrow while presenting the user with a mark or other visual element to aim toward and gauge one&#39;s aim. In this respect, archery arrows are reusable and, therefore, it is advantageous that arrows shot into the targets are not damaged. 
   Over the years, natural products, such as hay or straw, have been used as archery targets. This includes use of hay or straw as the portion of the target that stops the arrow. A printed target can be placed over the straw to produce the mark or other visual target for aiming. While these natural materials can be used to stop arrows, exposure to the environment will quickly deteriorate and weaken the natural material, and arrows can be difficult to remove from this type of material. Further, the penetration by the arrow quickly breaks down the structure of the material reducing the stopping characteristics of the natural material. As can be appreciated, an arrow that substantially penetrates the stopping material can be difficult to remove and may need to be removed from the backside of the target. 
   In order to overcome the problems with natural materials, manmade materials have been used to replace the natural material discussed above. The manmade material can be weather resistant and can effectively stop the arrow. However, prior art targets utilizing manmade materials also breakdown too quickly and can damage the arrow. Layered materials have been found to fray on the edges and allow moisture to penetrate the layers. This results in trapped moisture within the target that can reduce the effectiveness of the target and which causes the arrows to be exposed to excessive moisture. As can be appreciated, a wet arrow must be dried before it is shot a second time. 
   Another problem with prior art targets is heightened probability of damaging the arrow and/or the heightened probability of target failure. In this respect, no mater what material is used, the material must form a stable target area. Natural materials, such as hay bails, utilize twine as a binder to hold the hay or straw together. Manmade materials still need a binder to hold the layers together. Further, the binder should be configured in a way that it does not damage the arrow. As a result, there are tradeoffs between binders with superior structural characteristics and binders that will yield to an arrow so that the arrow is not damaged if the arrow strikes the binder. Prior art targets have not achieved the optimal balance between structural characteristics and minimal arrow damage. 
   Even yet another problem with prior art targets is stability. In this respect, an arrow traveling at high speeds has a significant amount of momentum. This momentum impacts that target when the arrow strikes the target. The target must be capable of remaining substantially stationary upon impact, or the user must realign the target if the target moves and/or tips over. While a lightweight target may be easier to move, it can easily tip over and can rotate upon impact by the arrow. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is applicable generally to targets, and more particularly to archery targets that are durable, stable, easy to use and can stop an arrow with minimal damage to the arrow. More particularly, the archery target according to the invention of this application includes a plurality of layers of sheet material positioned between at least one support plate that extends beyond the sheet material to create added stability. 
   In this respect, an archery target according to an aspect of the present invention includes an elongated support plate extending between a first and second ends and having a support-plate length, an inner surface and an outer surfaces opposed to the inner surfaces. Further, the support plate includes at least one strap opening. The archery target further includes a plurality of elongated foam sheets extending parallel to one another and parallel to the support plate to form a foam laminate having side surfaces parallel to the sheets and end surfaces transverse to the sheets. One of the side surfaces facing the inner surfaces of the support plate and defining a foam laminate length that is shorter than the support-plate length. The foam laminate further includes a front surface extending from the support plate having an arrow receiving zone. The target further including at least one compression strap extending about the outer surface of the support plate and through the strap openings such that the strap is spaced from the first and second ends of the plate wherein the strap urges the support plate toward the foam laminate and maintains the support plate relative to the foam laminate. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the archery target can be wrapped and sealed by an outer plastic layer. In one embodiment, the plastic layer is a plastic corrugated material that can provide support for the target components. 
   In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the target can include multiple compression bands. 
   In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the support plates can include openings spaced from one another to allow the compression band(s) to tightly extend around the foam laminate while allowing the support plates to extend beyond the foam laminate or sheet layers. 
   In accordance with even yet a further aspect of the present invention, the foam sheets are made from closed cell foam. 
   In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the archery target further includes a first and a second transverse sheet layer extending transverse to the foam sheets extending along the end surfaces of the foam laminate. 
   These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following discussion and the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and more will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out more fully hereinafter in connection with a written description of preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an archery target according to one aspect of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the target shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the target shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of another embodiment of a target according to another aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the target shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the archery target shown in  FIG. 4  with different target indicia; 
       FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of even yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of a further embodiment of the present invention; and, 
       FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of even yet a further embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now in greater detail to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention,  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate an archery target  10  having a support plate  20  with a bottom surface  21  and bottom support plate  22  with a top surface  23  generally facing bottom surface  21 . Target  10  further includes an elongated foam sheet layers  24  positioned between the surfaces  21  and  23  of the support plates. Support plates  20  and  22  can be made from any rigid material including, but not limited to, wood, steel, plastic or any other material now known in the art or produced in the future. For example only, support plates  20  and  22  can be wooden support plates that are approximately ½ inch thick. However, as can be appreciated, other materials that have different material properties can have different thicknesses while being rigid. 
   In this embodiment, the plates are configured such that deflection of the support plate is minimized to produce plates that are substantially flat and parallel to one another. This configuration creates a good base structure for maintaining the target in a desired position on a ground surface. 
   Several layers  24  together form a foam laminate  26  which is the portion of the target that will stop and retain an arrow (not shown) shot from a wide range of bows. The foam laminate can have a range of configurations without detracting from the invention of this application. In this respect, any foam known in the art can be utilized; however, closed cell foam has been found to produce a superior target laminate. As is stated above, foam laminate  26  includes a plurality of parallel foam sheets  24 . Further, laminate  26  has a front surface  27  and a rear surface  28  that can both include an arrow receiving zone  25 . Laminate  26  further includes a top surface  16  and a bottom surface  18 . 
   The arrow receiving zone can have target indicia printed directly on the foam layers or can have an outer layer which includes the printed indicia, which will be discussed in greater detail below. The printed indicia can be any printed material known in the art such as circles, dots, wildlife etc. Further, the target can be used with separate printed targets such as paper targets affixed to one or both of the foam surfaces. In one embodiment, the target can include a fastener system, such as a VELCRO brand fastener system, which will be discussed in greater detail below, to support separate and replaceable targets known in the art, such as paper targets. 
   Support plates  20  and  22  are secured relative to one another with a binder  29  to hold the target together. Binder  29  can also be used to create compressive forces on layers  24 . In one embodiment, the binder includes compression straps which can be any known compression strap system known in the art such as bands  30  and  32 . Support plate  20  includes openings  34  and support plate  22  includes openings  36  to allow bands  30  and  32  to pass therethrough and to allow the boards to extend beyond side edges  40  and  42  of foam laminate  26 . In this respect, foam laminate  26  has a length  44  extending between side edges  40  and  42 , support plate  20  has a length  45  extending between side edges  50  and  52 , and support plate  22  has a length  46  extending between side edges  54  and  56 . Lengths  45  and  46  of support plates  20  and  22 , respectively, are greater than length  44  of laminate  26 . While lengths  45  and  46  are shown to be substantially equal, this is not a requirement for the invention of this application. 
   This support plate configuration creates a more stable target. In this respect, by extending the boards beyond laminate  26 , target  10  has a larger base structure, which reduces the tendency of the target to tip. In addition, corners  58  and  59  can be solid, right angle corners that enhance target stability. Prior art targets tended to have large-radius rounded corner sections to allow the binder to flow from the bottom surface to the side surface. This prior art configuration creates targets that are unstable side-to-side. By spacing the binder from edges  50 ,  52 ,  54  and  56 , corners  58  and  59  are not affected by the binder and can be configured for stability wherein the rounded flow or transition between bottom surface and side surface can be internal. However, as will be discussed below, corners  58  and  59  can have “softened” edges or other stylized edges, since they are spaced from the binder. 
   Another advantage is that binder  29  creates less distortion in the target base by utilizing the holes to allow for the bending of the binder from the base surface to the side surface. This allows the binder to be very tight without distorting the support plates and has other advantages, such as spacing binder  29  from zone  25 , that will be discussed in greater detail below. 
   In addition, support plates can have a width or depth, transverse to the length, that is greater than the width of layers  24 , which can further increase the stability of the target. Outer edges  50 ,  52 ,  54  and/or  52  can also include edge configurations, such as a rounded edge, to “soften” the edge. As can be appreciated, the edge configuration can include rounded edges as are shown and can include non-linear edges from front to back. Again, support plates  20  and  22  can be identical in configuration, can be mirror images of each other and/or can have different configurations without detracting from the invention of this application. This can include, but is not limited to, bottom support plate  22  being larger than top plate  20 . 
   Layers  24  are parallel elongated sheet like-layers that can be stacked on one another to form laminate  26 . Layers  24  can be any type of material known in the industry that will stop the flight of an arrow shot into laminate  26 . It has been found that closed-cell foam layers are preferred. Section  26  can include one or more target indicia  60  front surface  27  and/or rear surface  28 . As is stated above, this can include any known target indicia such as, for example, target dots  64 - 68 . 
   As is stated above, bands  30  and  32  maintain support plates  20  and  22  relative to one another and relative to layers  24 . Further, bands  30  and  32  can also be utilized to compress the layers to increase the frictional stopping power of the layers when the arrow enters the target. Bands  30  and  32  can be any known bands including, but not limited to, steel packing bands and/or plastic packing bands. 
   Target  10  can further include other features for convenience and stability such as a carrying case, not shown, or a handle  70  that can be secured to top plate  20 . Handle  70  can be secured to the top plate by any method known in the art including fasteners  72 . Other such features will be discussed below in connection with other embodiments of the invention of this application. 
   In the following discussions concerning other embodiments of the invention of this application, like features will include like reference numbers as described above for convenience only. However, it should be understood that the use of like reference numbers should not be construed to require the items to be included and/or to be identical. As with all embodiments, modifications can be made and equivalences can be utilized without detracting from the embodiment and/or from the invention of this application. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , target  100  is shown. In this embodiment, the target further includes an outer layer  110 . Layer  110  can be made from a wide range of material including a plastic layer such as a plastic shrink wrap. As can be appreciated, layer  110  can be any desired color and can include target indicia  60  printed thereon. As will be discussed in greater detail below, layer  110  can be used for structural reasons along with for visual reasons. For example, layer  110  can be used to reduce unwanted moisture from absorbing into layers  24 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 6 , target  150  is shown. Target  150  includes an outer layer  155  that includes an opening such as an opening  152  that exposes front surface  27  of layers  24 . In this embodiment, indicia  60  is on surface  27 . In yet another embodiment, indicia  60  can be secured to the surface by a fastener  160 . Fastener  160  can be any fastening system known in the art including, but not limited to, tape and/or VELCRO brand hook and loop fasteners. In addition, fastener  160  can include a push fastener designed to penetrate laminate  26  between adjacent layers and be supported by the frictional engagement of the adjacent layers. However, as can be appreciated, fastener  160  should be made from a material that will not damage an arrow if hit by the arrow. This can include, for example, a low strength plastic and/or a fabric material. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 7-9  shown are targets  200 ,  250  and  300 , respectively, that include an outer layer made from a plastic corrugated material along with differing internal structures. In this respect, target  200  includes an outer layer  202  which is a sheet material folded about the target. Layer  202  can have any construction known in the art, including structures known in the packaging art for folding sheet material. As is stated above, this material can be a plastic corrugated material and, further, the material can provide structure to the target. In one embodiment, layer  202  includes a one-piece front panel  210 , side panels  212  and  214 , bottom panel  216  and top panel  218 . Layer  202  can also include a back panel (not shown) that is the same as front panel  210 , or a back panel with a unique configuration. Front panel  210  includes a front opening  220  that surrounds arrow receiving zone  25 . Target  200  can further include a second outer layer  204  within outer layer  202 . The second outer layer can be utilized as a vapor barrier to minimize water absorption by the target and/or can have other functions such as a printable surface for target indicia  60 . Further, layer  204  can be a partial outer layer and/or a replaceable outer layer. In this respect, layer  204  can be configured to only cover opening  220  in the front and/or back surfaces. In another embodiment, layer  204  can be removable and replaceable to allow easy replacement of target indicia or even target customization. 
   Target  200  can further include vertical layers  224  and  226 . One or more vertical sheets can be used to fill the gap between side surface  40  and  42  and side panels  212  and  214 , respectively. As is stated above, spacing binder  29  from edges  50 ,  52 ,  54  and  56  creates a more stable based structure. However, it creates a void between the side panels and the side edges of the laminate. Vertical sheets  224  and  226  can be used to fill these voids. Further, vertical sheets  224  and/or  226  can be single sheets or multiple sheets, depending on the desire result. Layers  224  and  226  can also be foam layers and can be formed by the same sheets used to create laminate  26 . Layers  224  and  226  can also be closed cell foam layers to increase the moisture resistant nature of the target. In this respect, side edges  40  and  42  are the side edges of foam sheets  24  which are exposed and, therefore, produce points at which moisture can easily enter foam laminate  26 , even if closed cell foam is used. By including vertical sheets  224  and  226 , these exposure points can be effectively covered by a structure that can be struck by an arrow without being substantially damaged as would a thin plastic layer. Yet another advantage of layers  224  and  226 , is that these layers help protect the compression strap from the elements and from damage during transporting the target or using the target. In this respect, binder  29  can be positioned between laminate edge  40  and layer  224  and positioned between laminate edge  42  and layer  226 . This spaces the bands from the side edges of the target and provides cushioned protection. 
   Target  250  includes outer sheet layers  252  that can substantially cover the target for structural and/or visual purposes. More particularly, layer  252  includes side panels  260  and  261 , top panel  262  and bottom panel  263 . Panels  260 - 263  include front edges  265 - 268  and rear edges (not shown). As can be appreciated, the rear surface of target  250  or any other target of this application can be identical to the front surface, including the inclusion of target indicia. However, as can be appreciated, the rear surface can have different characteristics, such as different target indicia. Target  250  further includes front flaps  270 - 273  extending from edges  265 - 268 , respectively. Flaps  270 - 273  have inwardly facing edges  275 - 278 , respectively, which form a front target opening  280  to expose arrow receiving zone  25 . 
   Target  250  can further include a second outer layer  282  within outer layer  252 . The second outer layer can be utilized as a vapor barrier to minimize water absorption by the target and/or can have other functions such as a printable surface for target indicia  60 . Further, layer  282  can be a partial outer layer and/or a replaceable outer layer. In this respect, layer  282  can be configured to only cover opening  280  in the front and/or back surfaces. In another embodiment, layer  282  can be removable and replaceable to allow easy replacement of target indicia or even target customization. 
   Target  250  can also include base feet  286  and  288  that can be secured to plate  22  by an method known in the art including, but not limited to, by fasteners  290  screwed into plate  22 . Further, target  250  can include a handle  292 . In one embodiment, handle  292  can be formed from outer layer  252 . In this respect, handle  252  can be die cut directly from panel  262  wherein, the handle can pivot about a base edge  294  from a retracted position flush with panel  262  (not shown) to an operational position shown in  FIG. 8 . Target  250  further include s gaps  296  and  298  between side edges  40  and  42  and panels  260  and  261 , respectively. 
   Arrows can be expensive and are designed to be reused. Thus, it is important to prevent the arrows from being damaged when they are shot. That is the basis for creating targets that are designed to stop the arrow, while allowing the user to see where the arrow was shot and while minimizing the damage to the arrow, so that the arrow can be used again. As a result, utilizing heavy gauge metal to secure the support plates to one another has been found to be counterproductive. Even if the rigid fasteners are spaced from the target zone, a significant chance of striking the supports still exists. As can be appreciated, an arrow that strikes one of these rigid fasteners will likely be damaged and could be damaged beyond repair. By utilizing an outer layer that partially supports the target structure, as opposed to merely a protective plastic layer, the fastener system used to maintain the plates relative to one another can be “softened” or eliminated, which drastically reduces the likelihood of damage to the arrow. In this context, “soften,” includes plastic straps, fabric straps or cords and/or wide, thin plastic or material straps. In the event that “softened” strap is partially damaged or even significantly damaged, the corrugated outer layer of the targets described above can help support the target system. 
   In yet another embodiment, the straps can be several or even many straps that are designed to yield to the arrow, thereby preventing damage to the arrow; but since there are several straps, the target as a whole will not fail. This can be used by itself with a purely weather resistant outer coating, no coating or can be used in connection with a supporting outer coating such as an outer layer made from a corrugated plastic. 
   In yet even a further embodiment of the present invention, the outer layer can provide a good printing surface for logos, promotional materials, target and/or bull&#39;s-eyes. Further, the use of an outer wrap can allow the target to be easily made in virtually any color regardless of the materials chosen to produce the support plates and/or the foam layers. In addition, the outer wrap allows a single inner target structure, namely, support plates  20  and  22 , layers  24  and binder  29  to be used to create a wide range of targets in a wide range of colors and/or target or bull&#39;s-eye configurations for a wide range of customers. 
   As can be appreciated, the targets including support plates  20  and  22  can be any one of a wide range of sizes without detracting from the invention of this application. Further, holes  36  in the support plates can be a wide range of sizes. As is best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , holes  36  can be large holes that can make manufacturing easier or even small holes to minimize the structural change to the support plates. Further, the openings in the support plates do not need to be holes. In this respect, the support plates can include openings extending inwardly from the side edges of the support plates, which can be used to create the spacing of binder  29  from the side edges. 
   As is stated above, the outer layer can be made from corrugated plastic, and it can provide at least a portion of the frame or structure of the target. This structure can be a reinforcing layer that increases the structural integrity of the target and can be used to allow the use of “soft” strap system. In either case, the corrugated layer can maintain the target&#39;s structure in the event that the binder partially or fully fails. Further, by utilizing corrugated plastic, handle  292  can be die cut directly from the corrugated plastic, which simplifies the product and further reduces weight. As can be appreciated, other handles known in the art could also be used. The corrugated layer can be attached to the other components by any fastening system known in the art including, but not limited to, by staples securing the corrugated layer to the support plates. 
   In yet even a further embodiment of the present invention, the outer layers can be used to replace the straps or bands to maintain the support plates relative to the foam sheets. Or, in another embodiment, the corrugated layer can be used to reduce the number or structure strength of the straps to help the straps support the target structure. 
   With reference to  FIG. 9 , the outer layer can also be utilized to replace one of the support plates. In this respect, shown is target  300  that includes an outer layer  252 . However, as is shown, the use of a structural outer layer can allow the removal of support plates  20 ,  22  and/or binders  29 . More particularly, target  300  does not include binder  29  and does not include support plate  20 . Target  300  utilizes outer layer  252  to maintain layers  24  relative to one another, and to maintain laminate  26  relative to support plate  22 . Further, layer  252  can be used to compress sheets  24  as desired. While not shown, support plate  22  can also be removed with the use of a structural outer layer. 
   While the outer layers in the above embodiments are shown to be one-piece outer layers, that is not a requirement for the invention of this application. The outer layers can be multiple components. 
   With reference to  FIG. 10 , shown is target  350 , which includes a binder  352  that is further spaced from arrow receiving zone  25 . As is discussed above, damage to arrows should be minimized. By spacing the binder from the target receiving zone, the likelihood of an arrow striking the binder is further reduced. More particularly, binder  352 , which can include straps  30  and  32  discussed above, extends about edges  50 ,  52 ,  54  and  56  such that it is spaced from side edges  40  and  42 . As with the other embodiments discussed above, the gap between the binder and the side edges can be filled by foam similar to layers  24  or by other material that will not damage the arrow if struck. While the spaced strap configuration is only shown in connection with one set of embodiments, it could be utilized with other embodiments discussed above. 
   As can be appreciated, the drawings of this application show generally cubic target structures. However, the target of this application can be produced in a wide variety of configuration without deviating from the invention of this application. Further, more than two sides of the target system can be used for the target indicia. This is especially true with the utilization of the corrugated outer structure, which allows more freedom relating the binder structure, or lack thereof, to allow the sides to also be used for targeting. Again, as is stated above, the drawings, are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. 
   While considerable emphasis has been placed on the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments, including equivalents thereof, without departing from the principles of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.