Patent Abstract:
An archery target configured to absorb an impact of an associated arrow. The target having a stand having a top side and a bottom side and the bottom side including a support structure for supporting the archery target on an associated surface. The top side including a target rest shaped to receive a portion of an outer perimeter of a cylindrical target portion in shaped engagement. The target portion having a front side and a back side which extend between the outer perimeter and define a target depth and including a central core extending between front and back sides of the target. The core defining a target axis coaxial with the outer perimeter and the target portion further including at least one general planar sheet having side edges defining a sheet width that is generally equal to the target depth and a sheet surface between the side edges. The at least one sheet being wrapped about the core and the target axis and the side edges at least partially forming the arrow receiving zone wherein a portion of the sheet surface forms the outer perimeter.

Full Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority in provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/066,764 filed on Feb. 22, 2008 and provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/004,352 filed on Nov. 27, 2007 both of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
       [0002]    The invention of this application relates to targets and, more particularly, to a rolled archery target. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,164,384 discloses an archery target and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,778 discloses an archery target configured from a corrugated material and is incorporated by reference herein for showing same. U.S. Pat. No. 1,837,627 discloses an archery target and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 3,048,401 discloses an archery target and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 3,396,971 discloses an archery target and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 2,990,179 discloses an archery target and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,246 discloses an archery target and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,585 discloses an archery target and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,440 discloses an archery target and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,281 discloses an archery target and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.K. Patent GB 2 365 366 discloses an archery target and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 2,818,258 discloses an archery target and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,042 discloses an archery target and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,860 discloses an archery target and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,501 discloses an archery target and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Archery targets have been around for many years and have had many configurations over these years. These include disc shaped targets, cylindrical targets, rectangular targets and even cube-shaped targets. Further, these targets have been formed by a wide range of material from hay to high technology composites. However, these prior art targets have had several deficiencies including high manufacturing costs and/or low life expectancy. 
         [0005]    In this respect, many prior art archery targets, such as those formed by hay, produce an effective target but, quickly breakdown wherein replacement is necessarily early in the life of the target. Over the years, there have been improvements to the traditional hay targets which utilize materials such as corrugated materials to increase the life expectancy of the target. While vast improvements have been made, these changes to the target configuration have adversely impacted the costs of the target product by necessitating complicated manufacturing techniques and/or expensive materials. 
         [0006]    For example, prior art targets include targets formed by closed cell foam sheet materials that are compressed and maintained between opposing rigid members by compression straps. While this target configuration is structurally solid and has been well received in the marketplace, production of the compressed sheet target is labor intensive and requires large scale equipment for the sizing of the foam sheet and for the compression of the foam sheets. Accordingly, while these compression sheet targets work well as an archery target, they can be costly and manufacturing high volumes of the targets can be difficult. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention of this application relates to an archery target. More particularly, the archery target according to the present invention includes a base member having an upwardly open support surface shaped to receive a cylindrical target portion formed by a foam sheet material wrapped about a horizontal axis. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an archery target configured to absorb an impact of an associated arrow is provided which includes a stand having a top side and a bottom side and the bottom side including a support structure for supporting the archery target on an associated surface. The top side including a target rest shaped to receive a portion of an outer perimeter of a cylindrical target portion in shaped engagement. The target portion having a front side and a back side which extend between the outer perimeter and define a target depth and including a central core extending between front and back sides of the target. The core defining a target axis coaxial with the outer perimeter and the target portion further including at least one general planar sheet having side edges defining a sheet width that is generally equal to the target depth and a sheet surface between the side edges. The at least one sheet being wrapped about the core and the target axis and the side edges at least partially forming the arrow receiving zone wherein a portion of the sheet surface forming the outer perimeter. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the target portion has an elongated central core wherein the core is formed by a pliable material having a square cross-sectional configuration with a length and a width wherein the width is between 0.25 and 2.5 inches and the length extends in an axial direction and defines a central target axis. The square cross-sectional configuration of the core forming four general flat sides and the target further includes a planar sheet of pliable material extending between an inner end and an outer end and the sheet having side edges and a sheet surface that extend between the inner and outer ends. The inner end of the sheet being affixed to one of the four generally flat sides of the core such that the inner end is fixed relative to the core. The planar sheet extending about the core in tightly wrapped convolutions wherein the outer end and a portion of the sheet surface form an outer perimeter of the archery target and the core is substantially formed into a cylindrical core. The side edges of the sheet forming a front and back surface of the target which include at least one shooting surface and the target including at least one strap extending about at least a portion of the outer perimeter to maintain the tightly wrapped convolutions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The foregoing, and more, will in part be obvious in conjunction with a written description of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a target according to the invention of this application; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a square core of one embodiment of the target shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the target shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front view of two targets wherein one target is stacked on top of another target; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front view of another embodiment of the target according to the invention of this application; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a front-side perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention including a two section stand; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged front-side perspective view of the stand shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a front view of two targets, as is shown if  FIG. 5 , wherein one target is stacked on top of another target; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a front-side perspective view of a further embodiment of this application including a stand spacer; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged front-side perspective view of the spacer shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged front-side perspective view of the base shown in  FIG. 8 ; and, 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a front view of two targets, as is shown if  FIG. 8 , wherein one target is stacked on top of another target. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Referring now 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, shown in  FIGS. 1-4  is an archery target  10  formed by a target portion  12  and a stand  14 . 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, target portion  12  is a wrapped target formed by the wrapping at least one general planar sheet of material  18  about a central axis  20 . This sheet material is preferably a pliable material that can deform when impacted by an arrow such that the target portion stops the linear motion of the arrow without damaging the arrow. This pliable material can be a wide range of materials including a foam material including, but not limited to, a closed cell foam. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, sheet material is a single continuous sheet wrapped about a central core  22  such that it extends from core  22  to an outer perimeter surface  24 . However, as can be appreciated, the target portion does not need to include the central core. Further, multiple sheets could be used. If included, the central core portion of the target also can be formed by a foam material similar to the layers extending about the core or can be formed by any material known in the art having material properties that will not damage an arrow when struck by the arrow. 
         [0026]    Further, the outer surface  23  of core  22  can be cylindrical or the core can have a polygonal configuration or other configuration. In one embodiment, the core is cylindrical wherein the diameter of the central core can vary without detracting from the invention of this application. This can include cores from as small as around a ¼″ to several inches depending on the desired physical characteristics of the archery target. 
         [0027]    In another embodiment, and with special reference to  FIG. 1A , central core  22   s  can have a four sided cross-sectional configuration having corners  26  and flats  27  between the corners. It has been found that this configuration works exceptionally well to prevent what is referred to as coning which is the result of the core moving relative to one or more of the layers of sheet material  18 . In one embodiment, core  22   s  is a square core having a cross-sectional configuration wherein flats  27  are between 0.25 inches and 4.0 inches wide. As can be appreciated, the length of this core is dictated by the size of the target. In another embodiment, the flats  27  are between 0.25 inches and 2.0 inches wide. In yet another embodiment, the flats  27  are between 0.25 inches and 1.0 inch wide. In a further embodiment, the flats are between 0.40 inches and 0.60 inches wide and in yet another embodiment, the flats are approximately 0.50 inches. 
         [0028]    When sheet material  18  is wrapped about core  22 , which will be discussed in greater detail below, an adhesive  28  can be used to secure end portion  29  of sheet material  18  to the core. This can also help prevent “coning.” With respect to core  22 S, adhesive  28  can be applied to a single flat  27  which is also the same single flap that end portion  29  engages as is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1A . Then, as the sheet material is tightly wrapped about core  22   s,  the core is compressed such that it generally forms a cylindrical core structure even though it has a square configuration before wrapping. 
         [0029]    The central core also can be formed by a different colored material to form a central target portion or can be formed by a similarly colored material to essentially hide the core from the remaining portion of the target portion. Again, while the central core is shown to be cylindrical even after wrapping, the invention of this application should not be limited to a cylindrical central core. 
         [0030]    In yet another embodiment, the central core can be a removable core or can at least include a portion that is removable. 
         [0031]    As is stated above, the target portion is formed by a sheet material wrapped about central axis  20 . The wrapping of this sheet material can be varied to produce different properties in the target portion. In this respect, the density of the target portion can be increased by wrapping the target portion with a higher tension such that the number of layers increases. It has been found that it is best to wrap the target portion under tension to increase the density of the wrapped layers. However, the amount of tension does not have to be great and can be varied based on a wide range of factors including the intended arrows, the environment for use and/or the shot distance. 
         [0032]    The wrapped archery target can be maintained by a wide variety of structural elements. In one embodiment, straps  30 ,  32  can be used to maintain the wrapped target portion. However, while two straps are shown, more or less straps could be used without attracting from the invention of this application. Further, the strap can have a wide range of cross-sectional configurations. 
         [0033]    In other embodiments, other structural arrangements can be used by themselves or in combination with other structural elements to maintain the rolled condition of sheet material  18 . One of these includes an outer layer  34  that can be utilized to maintain the wrapped configuration of the target portion or merely utilized to create a printable surface for target indicia or insignia  35  that can be printed on cover  34  or even directly on a surface of sheets  18 . This outer layer can partially or completely surround the target portion. In one embodiment, this outer layer is an outer plastic layer that completely surrounds the target portion and is separate from a stand  14  which is best shown if  FIG. 4  and which is discussed in greater detail below in accordance with yet other embodiments of the invention of this application. Further, straps  30 ,  32  can be used in combination with outer layer  34  such that the straps maintain the wrapped condition of the sheets  18  while layer  34  is merely for visual purposes. As can be appreciated, layer  34  can be used to quickly customize target  10  based on customer requests. 
         [0034]    In yet another embodiment, an adhesive can be used to maintain the wrapped condition or configuration of target portion  12 . This embodiment can include the application of an adhesive to at least one side of sheet material  18  during the wrapping of the target portion such that each layer adheres to an adjacent layer to maintain the wrapped configuration. Or, in another embodiment, only select layers can include adhesive such as the first and the last layer wherein adhesive is used between sheet material  18  and core  22  and adhesive is also used on the last one or more convolutions of the sheet material. 
         [0035]    Target  10  can further include a handle  40  that can be secured to any portion of target  10  including secured to the top of target portion  12  as is shown. In one embodiment, handle  40  is secured by straps  30  and  32 . 
         [0036]    After wrapping, sheet material  18  forms outer surfaces  42 ,  44  and  46  of target portion  12 . However, as can be appreciated, these outer surfaces are formed by outer layer  34  when an outer layer is utilized even though they may be structurally based on the shape of sheet layers  18 . Again, any one or any combination of, these surfaces can have any one of a number of insignia in an arrow receiving zone that can be in surface  42  or  46 . These insignia can be any insignia known in the industry including, but not limited to, traditional target circles, deer configurations, multiple spaced targets incorporated thereon. Some of these insignia are shown in the prior art U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,860 which is incorporated by reference into the disclosure of this application. In yet another embodiment, outer layer  34  can be a removable outer layer such that it can be replaced when one or more of the insignia become overly damaged. 
         [0037]    In yet another embodiment, target  10  can include stand  14  shaped to receive target portion  12 . Further, straps  30  and  32  also can be attached to stand  14  to secure target portion  12  relative to stand  14  in addition to securing the position of sheet  18 . Further, outer layer  34  can extend about target portion  12  to maintain the desired density of layers  18  wherein straps  30  and  32  can be used merely to secure the target portion relative to the base portion or layer  34  could also extend about the stand. While not shown, other combinations of securing devices and maintaining devices could be used without detracting from the invention of this application. 
         [0038]    Stand  14  supports the target on a ground surface G which could be any type of underlying surface. Further, stand  14  can be sized to create the proper target height based on end use requirements. Stand  14  further includes target rest  60  which in one embodiment is an upwardly opened or facing curvilinear surface shaped to receive outer cylindrical surface  44  of target portion  12 . As a result, gravity alone can maintain the target portion relative to the base portion without the need of fasteners or other securing devices. However, rest  60  could be any one of a wide range of configurations such as having a V-shaped configuration or having a U-shaped configuration or even can be formed by more than two planar surfaces even though these configurations are not shown herein. 
         [0039]    In yet another embodiment of the invention of this application, rest  60  can be formed by upwardly extending members  61  and  62  shaped to engage target portion  12  to maintain the position of target portion  12  relative to stand  50 . As discussed above, the members can include the curved surface or can form the curved surface. Further, as will be discussed more below, surface  60  does not need to be configured to be the exact same shape as outer surface  44  of target portion  12  wherein the entire surface does not need to engage the target portion. 
         [0040]    Stand  14  also can have an axial length extending along axis  20  that is similar to the axial length of target portion  12 . However, the matching of the lengths of stand  14  and target  12  is not required. 
         [0041]    Stand  14  further includes a base  69  to support target  10  on the ground surface as is discussed above. Base  69  is configured such that the target is stable and can withstand the impact of an arrow without falling over. This support structure or base can include a number of configurations that create a stable and steady target and these configurations can include the use of compressible and non-compressible materials. In one embodiment, not shown, base  69  is a flat base. In another embodiment, base  69  includes legs  70  and  72  having bottom surfaces  74  and  76 , respectively for engaging ground surface G. While these legs are shown to extend along the entire axial length of stand, this is not necessary for the target according to the present invention. However, this configuration could be utilized to reduce manufacturing costs such as allowing stand  14  to be extruded. 
         [0042]    Stand  14  can be made from any known manufacturing technique in the art including, but not limited to, extruding, blow molding and injection molding. Stand  14  can further include one or more pockets, recesses, or compartments such as a compartment  80  configured to house any type of component and/or articles that could be used by an archer. As can be appreciated, this could include, but is not limited to, arrows, gloves and marking utensils. 
         [0043]    As is discussed above, straps  30  and  32  can also extend about at least a portion of stand  14 . In one embodiment, stand  14  includes openings  90  and  92  thereby allowing straps  30  and  32  to extend through a portion of stand  14 . While not shown, the straps could extend about the bottom of the stand without detracting from the invention of this application. Further, outer layer  34  could also extend about stand  14  thereby securing target portion  12  to the stand. 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , shown are targets  10   a  and  10   b  wherein the targets can be configured to be stackable. In this respect stand  14  can include a downwardly facing or bottom stacking recess  94  that is shaped to matingly receive the top portion of another target  10 . This configuration can be used to stack one target on another target for reducing shipping and/or storage costs and/or can be used by the end user to produce multiple targets. While not shown, a securing device could be utilized to secure target  10   a  to target  10   b.  As with rest  60 , recess  94  can be a curvilinear surface shaped to receive outer cylindrical surface  44  of an adjacent target portion  12 . However, as with rest  60 , recess  94  could be any one of a wide range of configurations such as having a V-shaped configuration or having a U-shaped configuration or even can be formed by more than two planar surfaces. 
         [0045]    In even yet another embodiment, stand  14  can further include a handle pocket or recess  82  configured to allow one target to sit on top of another target such that the handle of the other target is received by the pocket and the handle is not damaged during shipment. Further, this configuration can add to the stability of the top target, namely target  10   a  as is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0046]    In yet another embodiment, stand  14  can be used in connection with a cylindrical target that is not formed by layers  48 . In this respect, other techniques known in the art could be used in connection with stand  14  wherein the improved stacking and transporting ability of the target can be utilized with other target configurations. 
         [0047]    With special reference to  FIGS. 5-7 , shown are yet other embodiments of the invention of this application. In this respect, shown is a target  100  that can include any or all of the features described above with respect to target  10  but, which also includes a universal stand structure  114  that can be used on a wide range of target sizes. More particularly, stand  114  includes a first stand section  120  and a second stand section  122 . While not required, sections  120  and  122  can be configured the same such that a single section can be used for both sides. As can be appreciated, manufacturing costs can be reduced by having a single common component for both sections  120  and  122 . 
         [0048]    Section  120  includes a locking tab  130  and section  122  includes a locking tab  132 . In addition, section  120  includes a lock receiver  140  and section  122  includes a lock receiver  142 . Lock receiver  140  is shaped to lockingly receive locking tab  132  and lock receiver  142  is shaped to lockingly receive locking tab  130  such that section  120  can be locked to section  122 . Again, sections  120  and  122  can be identical sections or at least substantially similar such that a single section design can be used for both. Once sections  120  and  122  are locked together, they form stand  114  which will support target  12  as is discussed in greater detail above. 
         [0049]    Section  120  can further include openings  150  and  152  which are shaped to receive straps  30  and  32 . Similarly, section  122  includes openings  160  and  162  shaped to receive straps  30  and  32 . As a result, straps  30  and  32  can extend through both sections and at least partially hold these sections together. Further sections  120  and  122  can include any other feature as discussed above with respect to stand  14  including together forming a stacking recess  170 . As a result, target  110   a  can be stacked on target  110   b  as is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0050]    In yet another embodiment, target  210  can include one or more spacers such as spacers  220  and  222  to enlarge the width of the stand and forms stand  214  shown in  FIGS. 8-11 . More particularly, stand  214  includes sections  120  and  122  with spacers  220  and  222  joining sections  120  and  122  such that stand  214  is wider than stand  114  even though the same stand sections are used for both. This configuration allow for additional manufacturing savings in that one stand section can also be used for multiple size targets. While only one size of spacer is shown, different sized spacers can be used to create a range of target sizes with a single base section configuration. 
         [0051]    With special reference to  FIG. 9 , spacers  220  and  222  include a spacer locking tab  232  and a spacer lock receiver  234  such that lock receiver  234  is shaped to receive one of section tabs  130  and  132  of sections  120  and  122 , respectively, and spacer tab  232  is shaped to engage one of section receivers  140  and  142  of sections  120  and  122 , respectively. This configuration creates a gap or space  240  between sections  120  and  122  which increases the overall width of the stand. Again, sections  120 ,  122  and spacers  220  and  222  can include any other feature as discussed above with respect to stand  14  and/or  114  including together forming a stacking recess  242 . As a result, target  210   a  can be stacked on target  210   b  as is shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0052]    Spacers  220  and  222  can further include locking keys  250  and  252  configured to engage key pockets  260  and  262  in the sections on either side of the respective spacer tabs. With special reference to  FIG. 10 , spacers  220  and  220  are shown wherein spacer  220  extends between tab  130  of section  120  and receiver  142  of section  122 ; spacer  222  extends between tab  132  of section  122  and receiver  140  of section  120 . Section  120  includes pockets  260  and  262  which receive keys  250  and  252 , respectively, of spacer  220 . Similarly, section  122  includes pockets  260  and  262  which receive keys  250  and  252 , respectively, of spacer  222 . These spacers create gap  240  between inner edges  270  and  272  of sections  120  and  122 , respectively. 
         [0053]    It has been found that a target according to the present invention can be made as follows. An adhesive is applied to the central core and the planar sheet material is adhered to a side of this central core. As is discussed in greater detail above, the central core can have a square cross-sectional configuration and the adhesive can be applied to one of the four sides of this elongated square core. Then, once the sheet is adhered to the one side of the square core, the sheet is tightly wrapped about the core to form a substantial portion of the target portion of the archery target. 
         [0054]    As the sheet layer is tightly wrapped about the core, it deforms the core and the core forms a generally cylindrical shape. By using a square core and the adhesive connection, a significant property change takes place in this rolled target. In this respect, a target that is merely rolled about an axis has structural deficiencies which are realized once the target is used in the field. In this respect, the arrow impact and/or the removal of the arrow can cause what is referenced above as “coning.” This is where the core, or another section of the target, move relative to other convolutions in the wrapped target portion. This creates a cone-like configuration where each convolution remains generally coaxial to each other but, one or more of the convolutions move axially relative to one another. 
         [0055]    The sheet layer is wrapped until the desired target portion size is reached. As can be appreciated, this can vary based on the users target preferences. Once the desired size is achieved, the wrapped layers need to be secured in place to prevent both unwrapping and/or decompression of the compressible material used. In this respect, it has been found that closed cell foam works well to make the target of the invention of this application while it must be noted that other material could be used without detracting from the invention. This material is compressed during the wrapping process wherein this compression can be used to improve the overall properties of the target. The layers can be secured by straps that extend about the outer perimeter of these wrapped layers to hold them in place. Further, adhesives can be used to help secure the layers in place layer by layer or at specific layers such as the inner surface of the outer layer. 
         [0056]    The target of this application can further include a stand to support the target and to prevent unwanted motion such as rolling motion from the cylindrical configuration of the target portion. This stand can be a two section stand such as a two common section stand that is configured to form half of the stand structure. The strap reference above can be either wrapped about the target portion only or also wrapped into the stand structure. Accordingly, once the target portion is wrapped, the strap or straps are positioned about the outer perimeter of the target portion and through the stand. Then, the straps are tightened to the desired tension to maintain the compression of the target portion and to securely attach the stand to the target portion. At this time, the target can be finalized which can include the addition of insignia or other markings. It can also include the addition of an outer layer if it is intended to extend about the target portion and/or stand. If the outer layer is only intended to be wrapped about the target portion, it can be positioned before the straps are put in place. 
         [0057]    While considerable emphasis has been placed on the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that other embodiments and/or equivalents thereof can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments 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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5