Patent Publication Number: US-2022236039-A1

Title: Target mounting system and method of use

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of live-fire targets. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems for mounting live-fire targets and using them. 
     Falling targets have been used in connection with live-fire shooting ranges for many decades. For example, typical target plates used in falling plate rack systems have a shaft, either full width or partial width, welded to it that allows the target to be rotated from a vertical orientation to a roughly horizontal orientation. Welding the shaft to the target tends to weaken the target resulting in target cracking, more frequent breaking and a shorter life, thereby requiring more frequent replacement. Moreover, targets with a welded shaft cost more than a target that does not include a welded shaft because of the additional manufacturing steps required fabricate such targets. 
     Targets may also be attached through mechanical provisions or fabrication of the steel to form an axle the shaft rides within. Similarly, a pepper popper rifle target pivots near the bottom of the target via a bracket and shaft assembly attached near the bottom of the target. These types of systems have several disadvantages. For example, such targets are more costly because of the additional fabrication steps needed to make a fully functional target. 
     Another typical prior art system employs a vertical arrangement flat plate silhouette, where the target mounting “tab” is mounted in a hole that is significantly larger than the “tab.” Such systems experience galling between the tab and mounting hole causing damage to the mating hole surface. This, in turn, results in the target moving out of alignment preventing the system from properly registering a bullet strike. 
     Other prior art target systems include, for example and without limitation, an Iron Maiden rifle target. This type of target system uses a static silhouette with a “kill zone” cutout in front of the pivoting target plate. When shot, the rear pivoting target lifts a white indicator plate up into the kill zone cut out window. This lets the shooter know it was a hit. A stop on the target frame prevents the impact on the pivoting target from rotating past top dead center when shot. Gravity resets the pivoting target in the forward position. 
     The systems and methods disclosed herein solve the problems associated with prior art target mounting systems discussed above and as would be known to one of ordinary skill by providing smooth falling targets, with long-life expectancy. Minimal intervention is required to sustain and maintain the systems disclosed herein. Individual components may be replaced as needed through an uncomplicated process, by individuals with no special skills using only standard/common tools. Moreover, the system of the present disclosure allows the target plate itself to be produced as a flat, singular item with no secondary processing required to use it. The pivot disc mounting system of the present disclosure does not require the target plate to be attached to a shaft by welding or other mechanical means, thereby addressing several of the shortcomings of prior art target mounting systems. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment of the present disclosure may have a target mounting system that includes a target having a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a first side and a second side, a first tang extending outwardly from the first side near the bottom. The embodiment may also include a first cylindrical pivot disk defining a tang receiver shaped and arranged for receiving the first tang and a first pivot disk bracket assembly. The first pivot disk bracket assembly may include a pivot disk retaining portion and a securing portion. The securing portion is arranged and constructed for mounting the first pivot disk bracket assembly to a target channel. 
     The pivot disk retaining portion includes a cylindrical recess arranged for receiving the cylindrical pivot disk, such that the pivot disk is rotatable within the cylindrical recess. When the tang is arranged in the pivot disk tang receiver and the pivot disk is arranged in the cylindrical recess, the pivot disk and tang are rotatable. 
     An embodiment of the present disclosure includes a second tang extending outwardly from the second side of the target near the bottom, the second tang arranged opposite the first tang. An embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a second cylindrical pivot disk defining a tang receiver shaped and arranged for receiving the second tang. Also included are a second pivot disk bracket assembly having a pivot disk retaining portion and a securing portion for mounting the second pivot disk bracket assembly to the target channel. The pivot disk retaining portion includes a cylindrical recess arranged for receiving the second cylindrical pivot disk such that the second pivot disk is rotatable within the cylindrical recess. 
     When the first and second pivot disks are mounted on the first and second tangs and the tangs/pivot disks are rotatably mounted in the respective cylindrical recesses of the first and second pivot disk retaining portions of the first and second pivot disk bracket assemblies, and the first and second pivot disk bracket assemblies that are mounted on the target channel, the target is rotatable between a target ready position and a target down position. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a non-limiting perspective view of a plate rack target system of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a non-limiting perspective view according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a non-limiting view according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a non-limiting view according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a non-limiting view according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6A  is a non-limiting view according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6B  is a non-limiting view according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described in the following written specification. Even though the present disclosure focuses on embodiments of a falling plate rack system, it is understood that no limitation to the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended and that the pivot disk target mounting system disclosed herein is adaptable to any prior art system as would be understood by one of ordinary skill. It is further understood that the present disclosure includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles disclosed herein as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plate rack target system  1  having a target mounting system  10 . The system having at least one target  20  and preferably multiple targets  20 . The target will include a top  30 , bottom  40 , front  50  and back  60 . The top  30  of target  20  may be round in shape as shown in the figures, but other shapes are within the scope of this disclosure, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Bottom  40  of target  20  may be rectangular in shape, but other shapes are within the scope of this disclosure as would be understood by one of ordinary skill. 
     Target  20  further includes a first side  70  having a first tang  80  arranged near the bottom  40  of target  20 . The first tang  80  may be rectangular in shape and extends outwardly from first side  70  below top  30 . Target  20  also includes a second side  90  arranged opposite the first side  70 . The second side  90  includes a second tang  100  arranged opposite of the first tang  80 . The second tang  100  extends outwardly from the second side  90  of target  20  and may also be rectangular in shape. Note, the shape of the first and second tangs  80 / 100  are not limited to a rectangular shape, as one of ordinary skill understands that other shapes fall within the scope of this disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-6A , the plate rack target mounting system  10  of the present disclosure further includes a first cylindrical pivot disk  110  defining a first tang receiver  120  shaped and arranged for tightly receiving first tang  80 . The first tang receiver  120  is a through hole centered on a face  122  of the first pivot disk  110 . An embodiment of the present disclosure includes a second cylindrical pivot disk  130  defining a second tang receiver  140  shaped and arranged in the center of a face  132  of second pivot disk  130  for tightly receiving second tang  100 . Essentially, the first and second tang receivers  120 , 140  will be shaped to be complementary for receiving their respective first and second tangs  80 , 100  of target  20 . For example, and without limitation, a rectangular tang will require a rectangular tang receiver sized to snuggly accept the tang. 
     An embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first pivot disk bracket assembly  150  having a first pivot disk retaining portion  160  and a first securing portion  170  for mounting the first pivot disk bracket assembly  150  to a target channel  180 . The first pivot disk retaining portion  160  includes a first cylindrical recess  190  for receiving the first pivot disk  110 . The first recess  190  is arranged and constructed such that the first pivot disk  110  may rotate freely within the first recess. The first recess  190  may be constructed such that the recess  190  does not extend through the first pivot disk retaining portion  160 . In this “closed” embodiment, the first recess  190  includes a back wall  200 . In embodiments where the first recess  190  extends through the first retaining portion  160  of first pivot disk bracket assembly  150 , a shield  210  may be attached to the first pivot disk retaining portion  160  to serve as the back wall  200  for the first recess  190 . 
     An embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a second pivot disk bracket assembly  220  having a second pivot disk retaining portion  230  and a second securing portion  240  for mounting the second pivot disk bracket assembly  220  to target channel  180 . The second pivot disk retaining portion  230  includes a second cylindrical recess  250  for receiving the second pivot disk  130 . The second recess  250  is arranged and constructed such that the second pivot disk  130  may rotate freely within the second recess. The second recess  250  may be constructed such that the it does not extend through the second pivot disk retaining portion  230 . In this “closed” embodiment, the second recess  250  includes a back wall  260 . In embodiments where the second recess  250  extends through the second retaining portion  230  of second pivot disk bracket assembly  220 , a second shield  270  may be attached to the second pivot disk retaining portion  230  to serve as the back wall  260  for the second recess  250 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a target return system comprising a shaft  300  arranged below the target channel  180 . The shaft  300  passes through an opening  305  arranged through a target bar assembly  310 . Opening  305  is constructed to allow shaft  300  to rotate freely within said opening. Target bar assembly  310  may be securely attached to a bottom  182  of target channel  180 . 
     An embodiment of the present disclosure may include a second target bar assembly  315  having a second target bar assembly opening  317  constructed to allow shaft  300  to pass through and rotate within said opening. Second target bar assembly  315  is spaced apart from target bar assembly  310 . Target bar assembly  310 , opening  305 , second target bar assembly  315  and its opening  317  are arranged such that as shaft  300  passed through opening  305  and opening  317 , shaft  300  is supported below and parallel to target channel  180 . 
     A reset arm  320  may include a first section  330  having a proximal end  340  and a second section  350  arranged approximately perpendicular to first section  330 . Second section  350  includes a distal end  360 . Reset arm  320  is attached to shaft  300  near the proximal end  340  via a reset arm hub  370  that is securely mounted on shaft  300  and is also securely attached to reset arm  320  near the reset arm proximal end  340 . 
     The system and device of the present disclosure may be used in a manner as would be known to a person of ordinary skill in the art of target systems and shooting ranges. For example, a plate rack target system  1  having the target mounting system  10  of the present disclosure may be located for use anywhere appropriate and safe for discharge of firearms with live ammunition at target  20 . In this illustrative example, it is decided that one of the targets  20  mounted on plate rack target system  1  via an embodiment of target mounting system  10  should be replaced with a new target  20 . 
     In use, and as shown in  FIGS. 1-6A  target  20  is retained on plate rack target system  1  between the first pivot disk bracket assembly  150  and the second pivot disk bracket assembly  220 . As discussed above the first pivot disk  110  includes a first tang receiver  120 . First tang receiver  120  is slid onto the first tang  80  of target  20 , thus mounting first pivot disk  110  on the first side  70  of target  20 . First pivot disk is rotatably mounted in the first recess  190  of first pivot disk retaining portion  160  of first pivot disk bracket assembly  150 . First securing portion  170  of first pivot disk bracket assembly  150  is removably secured to target channel  180  via a bolt and nut arrangement. For example, a bolt is passed through a mounting hole  172  located on the first securing portion  170  and a complementary mounting hole in the target channel. A complimentary nut is then screwed onto the bolt and tightened against the bottom  182  of the target channel  180 . A washer, such as a lock washer, may also be arranged on the bolt between the nut and the bottom of the target channel. Once the nut is tightened against the bottom  182  of target channel  180 , the first side  70  of target  20  is securely and rotatably mounted onto target channel  180  of plate rack target system  1 . 
     In like fashion, the second side  90  of target  20  is mounted to target channel  180  of plate rack target system  1 . The second pivot disk  130  includes a second tang receiver  140 . Second tang receiver  140  is slid onto the second tang  100  of target  20 , thus mounting second pivot disk  130  on the second side  90  of target  20 . Second pivot disk  130  is rotatably mounted in the second recess  250  of second pivot disk retaining portion  230  of second pivot disk bracket assembly  220 . Second securing portion  240  of second pivot disk bracket assembly  220  is removably secured to target channel  180  via a bolt and nut arrangement. For example, a bolt is passed through a mounting hole  242  located on the second securing portion  240  and a complementary mounting hole in the target channel  180 . A nut is then screwed onto the bolt and tightened against the bottom  182  of the target channel  180 . A washer, such as a lock washer, may also be arranged on the bolt between the nut and the bottom of the target channel. Once the nut is tightened against the bottom  182  of target channel  180 , the second side  90  of target  20  is securely and rotatably mounted onto target channel  180  of plate rack target system  1 . It is understood that the first bracket assembly  150  and second bracket assembly  220  can be secured to target channel  180  in any suitable manner as would be understood by one of ordinary skill and that any such method falls within the scope of this disclosure. 
     Once the target  20  is rotatably mounted between the first pivot disk bracket assembly  150  and second pivot disk bracket assembly  220  on target channel  180 , the target is ready for use. Upon repeated strikes to the target  20  over time, it may be necessary to replace the target  20 . Replacing the target is easily accomplished with common hand tools and requires no special training. Replacement of target  20  may start with removal of first pivot disk bracket assembly  150  or second pivot disk bracket assembly  220 . For example, using a common hand tool, such as a wrench or a ratchet/socket combination sized to mate with the nut securing the first pivot disk bracket assembly  150 , said nut is removed from the bolt and the bolt is removed from the first securing portion  170 . First pivot disk bracket assembly and target  20  may be slide away and apart from the still mounted second pivot disk bracket assembly  220 . Second pivot disk  130  may remain mounted on second tang  100  or may remain in second cylindrical recess  250  of second pivot disk retaining portion  230 . 
     Once the damaged target is separated from target channel  180 , as described above, a new target  20  may be installed. Second pivot disk  130  is mounted on the second tang  100  by sliding second tang  100  of new target  20  into second tang receiver  140  of second pivot disk  130 . In like fashion, first pivot disk  110  is mounted on the first tang  80  by sliding first tang  80  of new target  20  into first tang receiver  120  of first pivot disk  110 . Note, the order that the pivot disks are mounted on the tangs can be reversed. 
     Once the pivot disks are mounted on the respective tangs of target  20 , the second tang  100  and pivot disk  130  may be mounted in second cylindrical recess  250  of second pivot disk bracket assembly  220 , which is still securely mounted on target channel  180 . While maintaining the connection of the second tang  100 /second pivot disk  130  with the second pivot disk bracket assembly  220 , first tang  80  and first pivot disk  110  are slid into first cylindrical recess  190  of first pivot disk retaining portion  160  of first pivot disk bracket assembly  150 , thus positioning the target  20  between the first pivot disk bracket assembly  150  and the second pivot disk bracket assembly  220  on target channel  180 . 
     Next, the bolt is passed through the mounting hole  172  located on the first securing portion  170  and the complementary mounting hole in the target channel. The nut is then screwed onto the bolt and tightened against the bottom  182  of the target channel  180 , thus securing the first bracket assembly  150  to the target channel  180 . The target is now once again ready for target practice. Note, one of ordinary skill would understand that damaged target  20  may be replaced by removing second pivot disk bracket assembly  220  and reinstalling it in the same manner as the first pivot disk bracket assembly  150 , as described above, while leaving first pivot disk target assembly  150  mounted to target channel  180 . In other embodiments, both the first pivot disk bracket assembly  150  and the second pivot disk bracket assembly  220  may be removed when replacing a damaged target. 
     When the plate rack target system  1  is ready for use, target  20  is positioned perpendicular or near perpendicular relative to the target channel  180 . This position is referred to as a “target ready” position  380 . When target  20  is in the target ready position  380 , the first section  330  of reset arm  320  extends in a downward direction from shaft  300  and second section  350  of reset arm  320  extends roughly perpendicularly in an upward direction from first section  330 . When the target  20  is in the target ready position  380 , distal end  360  of second section  350  is spaced apart and does not contact the back  60  of target  20 . 
     When target  20  is struck by a bullet, the force of the bullet causes target  20  to rotate to a non-perpendicular position relative to the target channel  180 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , this non-perpendicular position of target  20  may be referred to as a “target down” position  390 . When the target  20  is in the target down position  380 , the back  60  of target  20  is near or in contact with distal end  360  of the second section  350  of reset arm  320 . 
     To return target  20  to the target ready position  380 , shaft  300  is rotated such that distal end  360  of the second section  350  of reset arm  320  pushes against the back  60  of target  20  until target  20  reaches the target ready position  380 . Once target  20  reaches the target ready position  380 , the rotation of shaft  300  may be reversed such that the distal end  360  of the second section  350  of reset arm  320  ceases contact with the back  60  of target  20  and returns to the position held when the target was in the target down position  390 . 
     Because the plate rack target system of the present disclosure may include multiple targets having the target mounting system  10  described herein, a person of ordinary skill understands that simultaneously returning multiple targets from their respective target down positions  390  to their respective target ready positions  380  is within the intended scope of this disclosure. 
     It should be understood, that relative positional terms such as, “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom” and the like, are with reference to the normal operational position of the device disclosed herein with respect to its normal intended use in connection with a plate rack target assembly. Such positional terms should not be considered otherwise limiting. 
     The present disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology that has been employed herein is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than word of limitation. While there have been described herein what are considered to be exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, other modifications of the disclosure shall be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein and, it is, therefore, desired to be secured in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.