Patent Publication Number: US-4093227-A

Title: Target with improved shock absorber means

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 623,793 filed Oct. 20, 1975, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,979,118. 
     Applicants disclaim the term of patent extending beyond Sept. 7, 1993. This patent shall be enforceable only for and during such period as it is commonly owned with U.S. Pat. No. 3,979,118 issued Sept. 7, 1976. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to missile targets of the type used in contests among marksmen armed with slingshots, bows, air rifles and the like. Missiles are impelled at high velocities with the objective of producing a visible reaction in each target struck. When missiles are impelled at very high velocities it is essential to cushion the shock of missiles striking the targets in order to prevent damage to the target support assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a target structure for cushioning impacts of missiles, thereby prolonging the useful life of an assembly supporting the target. 
     It is a related object of the invention to provide a shock absorber means for prolonging the useful life of fragile missiles such as arrows. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a shock absorber means for a target which does not impair significantly the responsiveness of the target to missile impacts. 
     Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art from the following specification, taken in conjuction with the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a target assembly including a preferred embodiment of the shock absorber means of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the target assembly of FIG. 1, in which the shield 14 has been removed for purposes of clarity of illustration; and 
     FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a target assembly 10 in which a pair of targets 11a,  11b are pivotally mounted on a support standard 12 firmly affixed to a stable, flat base 13. A protective shield 14 (shown only in FIG. 1) extends laterally outward from the standard 12, exposing to view only a single target 11a. Both lateral marginal edge portions 16 of the shield 14 project forwardly to minimize ricochet of missiles against the targets 11 or target arms 19 supporting the targets 11. When an exposed target is struck by a missile, the struck target shifts pivotally to an opposite lateral side of the shield 14. 
     The target assembly 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 has only a single pair of targets 11 and is designed for practice use by a single marksman. For competitive use, a plurality (preferably at least four) pairs of targets 11 are independently suspended about a central vertical axle 20 in a vertical array. Each competing marksman then impels missiles toward targets 11 on a side of the shield 14 assigned to him, with the objective of shifting all exposed targets onto his opponent&#39;s side at the same time. 
     The targets 11 are mounted on an arm 19 pivotally supported about a vertical axle 20. An axle support 21 fixes the axle 20 to the support standard 12. The arm 19 is integrally formed from a 1/4 inch × 1/4 inch aluminum bar and includes a pair of pivot arms 22 bridged by an arcuate juncture 23, and a target support arm 24 forming an end extension of each pivot arm 22. Each target support arm 24 terminates in a circular hub 25. 
     A plastic collar 26 envelopes the arcuate juncture 23 and secures the arm 19 to the axle 20. A toggle or bias spring 27 maintains the targets in either a first rest position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with a first target 11a exposed to view, or a second rest position (not shown) in which the second target 11b is exposed on the other side of the shield 14. When a missile strikes an exposed first target 11a with sufficient force to overcome bias of the spring, that target 11a will shift in an arcuate path to its second rest position, out of view of the marksman. 
     Each target 11 is provided with an upwardly projecting, rearwardly facing foam rubber cushion 40 adapted to engage a laterally facing plate 41. This plate 41 is mounted pivotally on a vertical rod 42 supported by a support bar 43 extending behind the standard 12. The plate 41 is bounded on opposed lateral sides by a pair of sponges 44 encased in a generally U-shaped, upwardly opening metal envelope 45 mounted on the support bar 43. When a cushion 40 strikes the plate 41, the plate 41 swings laterally against one of the sponges 44 thereby further cushioning shock of the missile impact. This prevents rebound of the cushion 40 away from the plate 41. 
     Structure of the unique shock-absorbing targets of the invention is illustrated with reference to FIG. 3 in addition to FIGS. 1 and 2. Each target 11 includes a target face 50 surrounded by a thin lip 51 projecting forwardly of the face 50. Each target 11 also includes a circular hub 25 mounted on a target support arm 24. Eight longitudinally resilient ribs 53 are secured around a marginal edge of the target 11 and extend rearwardly to join the hub 25. These eight ribs 53 are molded integrally with the target face 50 and lip 51, and they cushion missile impacts without need for any accessory shock-absorbing structures such as springs or sponges. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the target arm 19 is bent reversely to overlap in two short parallel sections 60a, 60b. A sleeve 61 affixed to one section 60a circumscribes a corresponding section 60b of the second target support arm 24b.  This sleeve 61 ensures concordant movement of the respective support arms 24a, 24b and it also limits lateral, scissors-like movement of the arms 19 after a cushion 40 strikes the pivot plate 41. 
     Numerous equivalents of the preferred embodiment of the invention described above will occur to persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims. This invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, and no unnecessary limitations should be implied from the foregoing description.